Casandra Martin

The papers are full of pictures. For days, the news has been running stories, making predictions, and spotlighting people who run. Advice is given about training, loading up on carbs, and the best shoes to wear. People on Facebook have been talking about it for weeks – who’s running, who’s preparing, who’s given up, and who’s shaking their head in disbelief.

It is marathon time. Marathons are long races. Twenty-six point two miles of sheer endurance. Marathons require a commitment beyond the moment. It takes preparation, planning, training, and focus to run a marathon. No one runs a marathon by accident. No one breaks the tape in a marathon without a will to finish what they have begun.

Marathons are great pictures of life. A life of significance doesn’t happen by accident. A life invested in Christ requires discipline, focus, training, and will. It requires taking on the identity of a runner, choosing the running lifestyle, and actually getting out there and running.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Life is a race. Some run the race in order to win something perishable – money, power, fame, friends, education, popularity, or possessions. When we run in Christ, we have a clear picture of the finish line. Seeing His face is our greatest prize. He provides us with companions to run with us along the way. The Holy Spirit serves as our Trainer and Coach. Some days it is easy to run. Other days we can hardly find the strength to put on our shoes. But marathons aren’t won or lost in a single day. Marathons are won by the consistent, daily choice to make running well a goal.

My Jesus Resolution today is to run well. I am going to find joy in running with those who point me to Jesus. I am going to be thankful for the way each step brings me closer to His heart. I don’t want to get caught up in running for a prize that isn’t worth the race. I want to remember why I am running. He will be there when I cross the finish line to welcome me home and say, “Well done.”