“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1.
Marathon is defined as “a cross-country footrace of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 kilometers)” or also, “a contest of endurance,” “an event or activity that requires prolonged effort or endurance.”
This year, I completed my first marathon. I prepared for months. I trained with a group that for the first 10 weeks offered educational classes every Saturday on pertinent running/marathon topics before our “long” runs. I talked to others that had run marathons, brought the proper attire and gear, and put in many a mile on the road actually putting to use what I had learned. The training at times was joyful, exuberant, fun, exciting, and thrilling! Other times, it was hard, long, heavy, painful, and dreadful. But all the time, I had the goal to look forward to—THE Chicago Marathon! It is one of the world’s largest with up to 45,000 entrants! The race was exciting and grueling at the same time. It is most certainly a mental battle in addition to physical. Those were the times when I relied upon Scripture and the God-given mental toughness (or sheer stubbornness my family would probably say) to pull me through. It was a spiritual journey at times through the training and the actual race.
When you train for a marathon, you have a lot of time on the road—just you and God. I spent many a run talking to God about my life and His desires for me. It was especially nice (or let’s be honest, it was providential) as the timing completely coincided with my decision to join Peru Mission and then the following process to achieve that goal. And so it is not surprising that I liken my preparations for Peru and work there to my preparation for the marathon and the race itself. The Lord has told us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Endurance—exactly how a marathon is defined. Endurance implies something that takes time and requires much effort. The author of Hebrews tells us that the race before us requires us to “fix[] our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” Heb. 12:2.
This year, I completed my first marathon. I prepared for months. I trained with a group that for the first 10 weeks offered educational classes every Saturday on pertinent running/marathon topics before our “long” runs. I talked to others that had run marathons, brought the proper attire and gear, and put in many a mile on the road actually putting to use what I had learned. The training at times was joyful, exuberant, fun, exciting, and thrilling! Other times, it was hard, long, heavy, painful, and dreadful. But all the time, I had the goal to look forward to—THE Chicago Marathon! It is one of the world’s largest with up to 45,000 entrants! The race was exciting and grueling at the same time. It is most certainly a mental battle in addition to physical. Those were the times when I relied upon Scripture and the God-given mental toughness (or sheer stubbornness my family would probably say) to pull me through. It was a spiritual journey at times through the training and the actual race.
When you train for a marathon, you have a lot of time on the road—just you and God. I spent many a run talking to God about my life and His desires for me. It was especially nice (or let’s be honest, it was providential) as the timing completely coincided with my decision to join Peru Mission and then the following process to achieve that goal. And so it is not surprising that I liken my preparations for Peru and work there to my preparation for the marathon and the race itself. The Lord has told us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Endurance—exactly how a marathon is defined. Endurance implies something that takes time and requires much effort. The author of Hebrews tells us that the race before us requires us to “fix[] our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” Heb. 12:2.
The Lord has set before me a race to Peru! It will be an endurance race. One that requires much preparation and prayer. Much like the marathon, I’ve been training. I took an online course in the Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry and read other books. I’ve spoken to many a missionary or worker in Peru and gathered information about living and working there. And soon, Lord willing, will be putting to use all that I have learned. I am sure the mission work in Peru will be much like the marathon—at times joyful, exuberant, fun, exciting, and thrilling! Other times, it will be hard, long, heavy, painful, and dreadful. The key to running this race is follow the advice set forth in Hebrews 12:2 and “fix[] our eyes on Jesus.” You may not be a runner or ever desire to run a marathon, but we all have a race to run. The Lord has set one before us all and it will be a race of endurance, but if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can all win the race! When you run a marathon, anyone that comes to cheer you as you run the race is called your “curb crew.” Thank you for being my curb crew for the race to Peru!
