I'm heading off to get quiet before God today with a short run. Rain's letting up now and the sun is taking over the morning like a timely friend. The day beckons and I have plans with two beautiful girls to make some September Friday memories. But before I go out and start the day I want to fall down and thank the Maker of this moment for the opportunity to live...breathe...go out...fall down and do life.
I was thinking again this morning about how life is like a marathon. I love marathons. To some, the thought of it excites them about as much as leftover oatmeal, but for me it's the whole experience that keeps me intrigued. The training gives me a sense of forward motion as my runs increase in miles. The pageantry surrounding the event is enjoyable and when the gun sounds I get to meet so many people who, for a short time are running next to me...some keeping pace...some falling behind...and some...are way out of my league. And everybody's laughing and talking...at first. Then it gets hard as the miles are accrued. It's about mile 10 for me that I really want Kathy and the kids standing there saying, "You're doing great! Keep it up! You can do it!"
That's how it goes with marathons. Not much different with living this Christian life. For the short term the breathing is steady and the steps are light. But there will come a time when every believer "hits the wall". Life is no longer simple and Christianity gets hard...messy...ambiguous. This is just the time that we press on. There are those that love us...those who have gone before us, telling us, we can do it...we can finish strong...and waiting at the finish line...a crown!
Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
II Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.