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Written by Administrator Saturday, 12 August 2006 19:00

Bryan Wilkerson, a pastor, shared his experience of running a marathon and finding himself on the verge of giving up.

“I once ran in the New York City Marathon. The first half of that race is a party. You’re swept along by 28,000 runners, crowds lining the streets, and people running in costumes. You’re touring the ethnic neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens. You feel like you could run forever. At mile 13, you cross over into Manhattan and start heading north, away from the finish line. Central Park is behind you, and you’re going in the wrong direction. The crowds are thinner now. The party’s over.

“At about mile 16 or 18, you hit the wall. You’re absolutely miserable. Physically and psychologically, you’re busted. All you want to do is stop running. I remember passing one of the first aid stations. There were runners lying on cots – pale and gaunt, with IVs dripping into their arms. I thought to myself, Those lucky dogs. At that point I began to despair. I imagined myself having to go home and tell everybody I didn’t finish. Why did I ever sign up for this race? What made me think I could do this?

That’s when it hit me. One way or another, I had to get to Central Park. That’s where my ride was. I had no car. I had no money. I would have to get there on my own two feet. So I might as well keep running. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don’t think about the next 6 miles; just think about the next step. And if you can keep that up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, the miles pass. And when you cross that finish line, it feels like glory – even when you’re in 10,044th place.”

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The Christian life is a lot like that marathon race. It starts with excitement and anticipation … like a party! You are exhilarated by what you are experiencing each step of the way. But as the race wears on … you begin to wear out. The grin is gone … the grind sets in. You feel like you’re not going to make it. Maybe you should just give up. But that would be both tragic and foolish. How do you keep going? Something more powerful than adrenalin must kick in … GRACE coupled with ENDURANCE! Jesus Himself ran the race before you. He waits for you to cross the finish line. Completing the course … running with endurance … that’s the goal. And what joy will be yours when you hear the words, “Well done.”

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-- Sparky