Good morning…
I am a non-runner, a total non-runner. Yet I am married to a man who runs most every day, a husband who over his lifetime has completed five marathons, each under three hours. So watching the Olympic marathons with Steve, the race for the women and the race for the men, was a fun part of this weekend. Each of the 26.2 miles of every marathon draws upon a combination of talent, training, and tenacity.
Usually the streets are lined with cheering fans, crammed in and close enough to almost touch the runners. This COVID year, family and friends were forced to support their athletes, Spirit to Spirit, from miles away. What a great metaphor for the “communion of saints” which eternally bonds loved ones in heaven with loved ones on earth. We are surrounded, supported, strengthened by family and friends, loved ones we can certainly sense but cannot always see.
As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us (Hebrews 12:1, TPT).
Beneath the phrase “marathon race” in the scripture above lies this footnote: “Or ‘obstacle course.’ The Greek word agona means agony or conflict. The assumption is this race will not be easy, but the proper path to run has been set before us. The Aramaic can be translated ‘the race [personally] appointed to us.’ God has a destiny for each of us that we are to give ourselves fully to reach.”
Our human tendency is to hold on to every wound that has pierced us. God’s Spirit invites us, “Let go.”
Our human tendency is to easily fall into isolation, clinging to self-sufficiency, sinfully separating ourselves from God and each other. God’s Spirit whispers, “Let go.”
Living in collaborative communion, we are able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination. Agony is an expected part of every obstacle course. Negotiating conflicts which arise will not be easy. Yet as we run the race personally set out for us by our sustaining Creator, we each give ourselves fully to the destiny called “Mine.”
Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given… —keep that dusted off and in use.
Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation (1 Timothy 4:13-17, MSG).
I consider 1 Timothy 4:13-17 to be my “life verse.” This living Word was illuminated in my Bible at 3:00 am one dark, difficult night many years ago. How might this living, breathing Word empower you to run the leg in life’s marathon set before you today?
…Sue…
P.S. Thank you Gina Palermo for today’s stunning photo depicting life’s mysterious marathon.
