Life is a Marathon
by Raechel Roman
"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, looking to Jesus." –Hebrews 12:1
In our society, we are obsessed with arriving. We want to get into the right college, get the right job, get married to the right guy or girl, buy the house, have children, acquire wealth, make it to retirement, and travel. I'm not saying these goals are bad, or that reaching them happens overnight. But they can convince us that we're the ones who decide when we've arrived. In reality, God determines our finish line. We arrive when we are standing face to face with Jesus, and if we are running the way Scripture tells us to, then we will still be running when He calls us to cross over.
The idea of arriving in this life directly contradicts the truth reflected in Hebrews 12:1. The main questions become: Are we on the right path? Are we running the race set before us? If you sign up for a marathon, you have to take the path of the marathon. If you get off the path, it doesn't matter if you run farther than 26 miles—you will never cross the finish line, and you will not win the prize. The same is true when we follow Jesus. Jesus is the way, and we must be on His path and do things His way.
For us, that means accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and developing a relationship with Him. We do the things He tells us to do, and we don't do the things He tells us not to do. We repent when we do something wrong against Him and others, and we hold ourselves accountable to God's ways with an accountability partner when we continue to struggle with sin. When we confess our sins to each other, we will be healed.
It also means we forgive those who sin against us. No matter what. Jesus died for all of my sin, and He died for everyone else's sins as well. The determination of where that person will end up with God is not within my ability to figure out. It doesn't mean we put ourselves under the discipleship of people who are not showing good fruit. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to figure out how to navigate complex relationships in a way that pleases God. Love God above all else, and love each other as we love ourselves. This is the path we must take to cross the finish line and win the prize, and hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
I've never run a marathon, but my brother has, and I didn't know how special that day would become for me. I was honored to stand among the great crowd cheering him across the finish line—not for me, but because I wanted him to experience the reward that came from over a year of dedication and training. It was so important to me to see him succeed, and now it blesses me to think that both in heaven and on earth there are people cheering us on. It's really important to them that we succeed. They are often on the sidelines with bated breath, encouraging and praying for us. They experience deep sorrow and compassion when we fall, and it's really important to everyone cheering you on that you get back up again and keep going.
Life is a marathon.
Everyone who runs a marathon knows that, as you are running, you have to shed every negative thought or fear that tells you to quit. At some point, everything in you will scream at you to quit. A common experience in both a marathon and the Christian walk is that everyone starts out strong. But somewhere along the way, the exhaustion kicks in, the adrenaline runs out, and you wonder if you can go on. This is where your training becomes really important. How you prepared will determine whether you can get through this portion of the race.
Jesus talks about the ten virgins. Five had prepared oil for a long, long night, and five prepared only enough for a few hours. Just like in a marathon, those who choose to leave the path to get refilled become disqualified, even if they try to come back. This is what happened to the five virgins who left and came back. I often wonder what would have happened if the five virgins who left for oil had stayed and trusted the heart of the Master to accept what they had left when He arrived.
Remember, you're not alone in a marathon. Others are running alongside you, working through the same struggles as you to keep one foot in front of the other. There are also people stationed along the course to refresh you with water and encouragement, help you if you're hurt, and get you back on your way again. God does this for us too. He stations people and angels to encourage you, refresh you, and heal you at key points in the race.
It's a long road, but as the finish line draws near, you begin to hear clapping and cheers from the sidelines. You're getting closer, and the finish line is approaching. You may still have a few miles left to go, but there begins to be an uplift in your spirit, a little pep in your step. But there's nothing like the moment you hear the sound of your family and friends as you run by, and you become supercharged. As Christians, it's like when you begin to see the fruit of Jesus in your life. But there's nothing like when your child, parent, spouse, or someone special decides to repent of their sins and give their life to Jesus.
This is where we are in the race. Jesus is coming soon, and the finish line is just within reach. Only God knows the day or the hour that we will cross our finish line and see Him face to face. Whether young or old, we should all be aware of the times and seasons. Matthew 24 and so many other prophecies are right here at our door, and our hearts reverberate as Jesus says, "I am coming soon."
This clarion call encourages us to lay aside every weight and sin, every thought of fear or doubt that could keep us from crossing the finish line. Jesus is resurrecting us daily to finish with everything we have left and leave it all in this life.
It's time to pick up the pace.
You might be completely exhausted, but don't grow weary in doing good. Jesus wants to give you one last great push.
Jesus is coming soon.
No one slows down and comes to a complete stop as they approach the finish line. You run through the finish line with everything you have left; whether you're running, walking, hobbling, or being supported by others. Everyone runs through the finish line, and everyone who crosses the finish line wins. We don't have to be first, fastest, or good-looking. We might even be broken. We just have to come as we are. We fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reflection
Jesus, are there any sins that are weighing me down in my race?
Jesus, is there anyone I need to forgive? If I don't, will it disqualify me from crossing the finish line?
Jesus, is there anyone around me in my life or from my past whom You love and want to draw to You? How can I pray for Your will to be done in their life?
Jesus, there will be a day when I see You face to face. I want to sit quietly for a few minutes in Your presence and experience a glimpse of what it will be like to be with You in glory for eternity.
Prayer
Jesus, I love You. You are so worthy of praise, honor, and glory. All of my sufferings, trials, and tribulations in this life I bring to You, the One who hung on the cross for me and for all the sins of all the people in the world, once and for all. Thank You! I repent of my sins, and I don’t want to go my way anymore. I want to go Your way. I want to do the things You want to do in my life. I thank You that as I follow You I will begin to see the fruit of Your presence in my life and in the lives of the people around me. If there’s someone You would like to hold me accountable, I ask that You show me who that person is. And Jesus, for anything I cannot do in my own strength, I thank You that You don't give up on Your plan. Instead, please send angels and people to help me complete each task You've laid before me, for Your glory. I thank You that You are bringing Your children back to You; those who are called by Your name, that Your house will be full again. Even my family, friends, and people in the community will find themselves in Your house again—or for the first time—joyfully serving You!
I ask all these things in Jesus' name.
Amen.