I love the 800 meters race. It is the perfect mix of tactics required in a long-distance event and the sprint speed needed for the final “kick.” There have been a few runners over the years who have tried to run it as a sprint, but when they get to the last stretch, the “kickers” catch up and win.
Why is this? Much like a NASCAR race, they have been running as fast as they can, but then there’s not enough gas in the tank to finish. Memories of this from my younger days still literally burn in my memory. I would always try to finish any race strong, but while doing this, my chest would feel like it was on fire, and I would cross the line gulping the air down as quickly as possible.
In the great chapter of the Bible completely dedicated to God’s word and all things connected to it, Psalm 119, we get a taste of our spiritual race. “I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart” (119:32 NKJV).
We understand that when we make obedience to God’s commands our goal, that is a tremendous and worthwhile effort! Yes, there will be huge challenges along the way, when you don’t feel that you can make it, but that is where God “enlarges your heart.” You can do it!
Hebrews chapter 11 gives us several examples of great men and women of faith. They obeyed God, even if they were severely persecuted or even killed. Then they are considered as witnesses to our race of faith and obedience in chapter 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
It's all in there: 1) We run the course of His commands. 2) Sin hinders us from doing that, so we set it aside. 3) We are determined to have the endurance to finish faithfully. 4) God enlarges our hearts by providing the example of His Son, Jesus, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2).
So, how is your race going? Are sin’s temptations slowing you down because you haven’t completely rid them from your life. Does your life seem difficult due to the day-in-day-out responsibilities? Are you trusting too much in yourself and not enough in the Father and Son? Join us at the South Stokes Church of Christ as we run together to be rewarded with the “crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Victory will be oh so sweet!
Jeff Greene, minister for the South Stokes Church of Christ