Run the Race!

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” NIV

In a sprint, the runner gives a 100% from beginning to the end, starting off with as much speed as possible and reaching the finish line with high speed as well, giving everything he has. A marathon would be approached different though. The runner develops a strategy how to reach the finish line in a certain time and keeping a certain speed over a long distance.

Often times we live our life as if we were in a sprint, while it really is a marathon. Multiple slogans and the media promote the “Live life today as if there was no tomorrow” theory. The result is a mindset of “I don’t care what’s coming up next." Many people I know don’t even want to think about what could happen next month, next year or even after they will leave this earth one day. But that’s not how God intended it to be. He doesn’t’ want us get weary along the way, we are supposed us to live with vision! Vision for tomorrow strengthens us to live today! That’s what sustains us and gives us strength to persevere! The Apostle Paul experienced terrible persecution and strong temptations throughout his life. But in the end, he had been faithful. His whole life was dedicated to God, doing good works. He was sent to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and suffered greatly. He gave up his life to bring the Good News to those he had persecuted before. The scripture continues in
2. Timothy 4:8 “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.”
As Paul wrote these verses, he was certain that he had overcome the things of this world and that he would receive the crown of victory.
Let us not be overcome by the things of this world but let us live a life in the assurance that there is more than this, that we live towards a goal! In Philippians 4 Paul calls us to “press toward the goal to win the prize.” We have a goal! As Christians we do have a vision! We don’t live just for the NOW, we life for the promises of God! He is preparing a place for us and we will have eternal live and enjoy all the good things he has in store for us if we look heavenwards!

How easy it is to quit, if things don’t work out or we are stuck in situations, when we don’t see the way out. But God has promised us his protection in every situation. In this world, we will face trials no less than the people that don’t live their life’s with God. But we have the assurance, that he helps us to bear those situations, he gives us strength, and he sustains us! We don’t need to rely on our own wisdom and our own strength; he will lead us as we trust in him.

I don’t want to finish the marathon of life crawling over the finish line; I want to run - heads up, knowing that I will receive the crown of victory. I want to be found faithful until the end! Lord, give me strength to face the trials of today, knowing that you hold an amazing future for me. Give me strength to fight the good fight today.