The Race Before Us

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1



During my 3 mile walk the other day my mind traveled back to a different place and time.I was in the eighth grade. I had never really excelled in any particular sport but I loved to run. And so I signed up for a Physical Education class entitled Cross Country Running. I remember my father asking me if I knew what might be involved in this class. I didn’t have a clue. I just knew that I liked to run.

On the first day, Coach Martin told us that he wanted to assess our abilities, strength and endurance. He told us that we would begin with a 3 mile run. I just knew that the track had to be at least 3 miles long and so I wasn’t a bit nervous. But then, my friend Peter asked, “How many times around is that Coach?” “12 to be exact!” replied Coach Martin.

I needed a lot of perseverance and faith that hot September afternoon. Halfway through the run I wanted to stop. I am sure I asked God a hundred times why I talked myself into doing such a stupid thing. I confess that I prayed out loud that day on one of the turns that the Lord would help me survive let alone finish the run. I was way ahead of my friend Peter, but by now, that was very little comfort.

Looking back on it, some 40 years ago, each time that the track curved is now symbolic of the many winding challenges that I have faced in my life and the varying emotions in encountering each of those curves. The parallel sections of the track represent for me, the smoother sailing moments when life was long and steady. Little did I know at the time that one day I would reflect upon such a grueling experience and it would remind me of my own pilgrimage of faith.

I think I would still be running today if it were not for bad knees. I finished the run that afternoon with a great sense of accomplishment, but knowing all along that my own strength, ability, and more importantly my endurance, had everything to do with The One running with me! And it wasn’t Peter!