Christians, when you think of running a huge race, such as a marathon, it seems like an overwhelming feat. Most people train for months, potentially years preparing themselves. Working their way up, running 3, 5, 10, 15 miles never getting to 26.2 miles, but doing a portion run.
Our Christian walk is the same way. God helps us train and prepare, trusting in faith, going through small trials or tests to get ready. Ready for what? The Marathon. God has certain situations that He puts certain people in at certain points of their life…why? Because He’s God and He can, but more importantly, He wants to show us that our training, our small testing has paid off, to show us how fit we are. So what does making the turn have to do with all this?
In a marathon trial, there is a point where you are making a turn, imagine a 26.2 mile marathon, where you run out 13.1 miles to a point and then back. As you make the turn to come back, you now have less distance between you and the finish line than ever before. How does that help you to know that you are making a turn? As you start the test or trial you may find yourself unaware that it is a marathon. You may start out sprinting, believing it’s just another small test and you have the confidence that you’ve conquered small tests before, so you boldly run, unaware that it’s a marathon.
As you continue running and there is no finish line in sight, you keep going thinking it’s just around the corner, then you realize, this is a MARATHON test! You are now in the midst of a gigantic race. It’s tiring, time consuming, but in faith you run on, you have faith. What do you look forward to? Making the turn! Why? Because you have already covered that distance, you know what it took to run the first 13.1 miles and you now know how to run the second half, pacing yourself wisely. In addition you now are in countdown mode, you are seeing that you only have 10 more miles, 8, 5, 3, can you feel it, you are almost there, 2 more miles, 1 more mile to go, you start to sprint again. You have a second wind, you dig deep to conquer this last mile, it’s almost over 500 feet, 100 feet, 10 feet, YOU MADE IT! Wow! You stop running, the race is over, you crossed the finish line, congratulations! God is so pleased with you, you ran with purpose in every step. Rest, relax, and then prepare. Now you are a marathoner. God wants you to keep moving, and in His plan for your life, you will. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Corinthians 9:24-27
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith II Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NASB)
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing. II Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2017
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