Running

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to run again. I watch children running at play and I am a little envious. I think, “How delightful! I wish I could do that.” But I’m trying to accept the limits of my age.

Last night I dreamed that I was running. It was at a fast pace, too, with a lot of people. Don’t ask me why we were running. My dreams never make sense. But we were all running up a hill on a black top path. We came to a sudden curve at the top of the hill and had to slow down a little in order not to run off the edge of the world (or a cliff or something). It scared me, so I woke up.

My husband has run marathons. He likes long distance running. Now that’s beyond me. I don’t understand the desire to run with thousands of competitors in a race that punishes your body without having the slightest chance of winning. But to a marathon runner, just finishing the race is a great accomplishment. A win in their book.

Actually, though, we are all in a spiritual race. And, as many have said, “It’s not a sprint, but a marathon.” A long, arduous, hilly, curvy course that taxes us to our limit. What keeps me going? It’s the desire to finish, to get to the goal. And to finish well.

The writer of Hebrews says, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). That makes me wonder, “Who is watching?” I know Jesus can see us. Those in the hall of faith listed in Hebrews 11 are apparently witnesses in some way. Can my loved ones in heaven observe how I’m doing?

The enemy of my soul doesn’t want me to succeed in this race. I need to be cautious. Not fearful, but careful, observing the pathway before me. There might be a trip wire strung across the road to catch me off guard. Sometimes the world distracts me with bright, shiny lures. I have to stay alert and keep my focus on Christ. He is my Coach, my Manager, my Judge, my Protector, my Witness, my Friend. And I want to hear His words, “Well done” at the end of the race.

How is your race coming along?