As a young teenager, I made many foolish decisions. Among them was the time I chose to run in the so-called "Ironman" race at our school. My Physical Education teacher had promised that all those who survived the Ironman would receive an automatic "A" in the class. Though my grade was already secure, as it happened, this same teacher was also my basketball coach at the time. He had made it clear that as players, all of us were expected to participate. Fortunately for us, the school was too poor to afford bikes and too wary of lawsuits to allow us to swim in the frigid waters nearby. So this "Ironman" would consist only of running, running, and more running! At the time, it sounded like fun and so I happily signed up. After all, I reasoned, how hard could it be to run a few miles around the school?
About halfway through the race, I found out. By then, the thought of being struck by a passing motorist was emerging as a pleasant alternative to the thought of completing the Ironman. As my aching body rounded a corner, I found myself running along the street that would eventually take me past the front of the school. Starting down the long street, my pace slowed a bit as I began to look around for a nice spot along the road where I could collapse and die. But suddenly, I saw something up ahead that caught my attention--GIRLS!! Unbeknownst to us at the start of the race, the organizers had set up an area outside the school doors where the girls would cheer us on and hand us a cup of water as we ran by. As I saw them in the distance, I knew that there was no alternative but to reach deep inside of myself and run with all of my might--at least until I rounded the next corner where I could safely die without being seen.
Happily, I was able to finish the race without requiring medical attention. In fact, the last half of the race seemed much easier than the first half. The cup of water and the cheers of encouragement I received from my classmates served to reinvigorate my weary body. I ran with a newfound strength, confident that I could make it to the end.
Life is a lot like a race. The Apostle Paul used this analogy frequently in his writings. In speaking to the church leaders at Ephesus, Paul tells them:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)
Later, as Paul was close to death, he was able to envision having crossed the "finish line."
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Paul reminds us that he is not alone in the race. All of us are invited to run. Some will run fast, some will run slow, and some will not run at all. Some will engage in great training, some will not. Some will run the race unharmed, while others will suffer injuries along the way. Those who choose to run, like Paul, can look forward to receiving their "award" from God.
Since the dawn of civilization, faith has continued to change ordinary spectators into runners. In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the author gives several examples of real-life faith:
In each of these lives we see examples of faith lived out through life's trials and triumphs. For the writer of Hebrews, these men and women form a "cloud of witnesses" that testify to the faith we hold today. Understanding this, we too can be encouraged:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)
Just as a "cloud of witnesses" helped me to persevere through the physical struggle of the "Ironman" race, another "cloud of witnesses" surrounds us amidst the spiritual struggles of our lives today. As we study these people of great faith, together, their lives offer up cool water to our spiritually thirsty souls. They remind us that through faith we too can triumph over the obstacles--we too can overcome the sin in our lives. Through their testimonies, they cheer us on, encouraging us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
In a sense, the race we run is more of a relay. Those before us have run well, but now they stand on the other side of the finish line. The baton has been handed to us. For our part:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Copyright © 1998 Tim A. Krell. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.