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I’m not much of an athlete. I’ve never been a jogger or even walk for exercise. I know I should do more. The Apostle Paul often uses the analogy of running a race when describing the Christian life. I don’t know if Paul was an athlete. But he was raised in a culture of athletics. When Paul talks about running a race, I have a feeling that it wasn’t a sprint. I believe it was more of a marathon. At the end of his life Paul compares his life in Christ as a race that he’s finished. he tells Timothy “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7). (Tom) have been walking with Christ for the past 34 years. It has NOT always been an easy life. In fact, it’s been downright difficult. A life with Christ does not mean that our lives will be filled with rainbows and buttercups. My journey has seen betrayal, persecution, misunderstanding and a tremendous amount of loss and grief. Much of the pain and suffering I have endured came from other believers in Christ. Following Christ costs us a great deal. Jesus never said it would be easy. I’ve watched so many leave their faith because they’ve been wounded or have been disenchanted. They felt betrayed by God and by His people. I believe they became disillusioned and walked away. Maybe they were led to believe that if you came to know Jesus their lives would only get easier. When pain, loss and disappointment eventually came, their hearts and minds were not prepared. But this race is for the long haul. And it will cost us a great deal. I believe, for the most part, that Evangelicalism has not laid a firm foundation for suffering. Liturgical churches like the Catholic Church, the Orthodox church and others have done a much better job of preparing their flock for the unavoidable suffering that comes with normal life. I believe the Apostle Paul understood this very well. In fact, he claims that he continues to fill, to complete, the sufferings of Christ. What a bold statement. Was Christ’s work on the cross incomplete? Absolutely not. But our suffering, while continuing to stand in hope and faith, is a living witness of the finished work of Christ on the cross. Perseverance is a dying virtue. We get results so quickly in today’s world. We don’t have to wait for change. It happens at lightening speed. But true virtue and character is not formed overnight. It takes place slowly and through great endurance and, often, great suffering. People who prepare to run a marathon want to complete it. No one undertaking the preparations wants to complete only a portion. Each and every participant wants to cross the finish line. Again, Paul encourages us to go forward and fix our eyes on the finish line. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Phil. 3:14. And then again he says, “Isn’t it obvious that all runners on the racetrack keep on running to win, but only one receives the victor’s prize? Yet each one of you must run the race to be victorious. A true athlete will be disciplined in every respect, practicing constant self-control in order to win a laurel wreath that quickly withers. But we run our race to win a victor’s crown that will last forever.” So run this race my friends! Keep your eyes on the prize and don’t grow weary.
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