I have always enjoyed running. Although I have rowed, cycled, played football and rugby, I seem to always come back to running. I am not a sprinter but enjoyed middle distance running at school and above all, cross country running.
The apostle Paul talks of running the race and seeking the victory crown, putting in the training to achieve this (1 Corinthians 9:24). The writer to the Hebrews also encourages us to continue with perseverance in the race that God has marked out for us, with the crowd of witnesses cheering us on and Jesus as our example set before us (Hebrew 12:1-2).
Running the race of faith is not a sprint. It is a long-distance endurance race or perhaps even an obstacle course! My daughter has just finished the “Tough Mudder” and my son and I have previously run the “Suffering Race” (interesting how this can be reworked to read “suffering in grace”) and the “X-runner”. Why we pay for the privilege of being soaked in muddy water and volunteering to be put through all sorts of endurance tests, I do not fully understand, but maybe it helps us to continue through our trials and tribulations.
As I run most days through the Devon countryside, I get to enjoy the spectacular views from the hilltops. But to reach them, I have to push myself up those very same hills—often battling through brambles, nettles and fields of crops along the way. In the same way, our faith journey includes wonderful highs as we enjoy the presence of the Lord. Yet there are also setbacks and disappointments—times when people let us down or wound us, or when ministry seems to falter. There are hills to climb as we face spiritual opposition, doctrinal liberalism and what can feel like a lack of resources.
It is in moments like these that we feel like giving up—but this is exactly when our training kicks in. And by the resurrection power of the Spirit, we are able to stand and keep running the race. We press in rather than dropping out. We seek the Lord’s presence more, rather than running away. We forgive, love and embrace those that may have hurt us or misunderstood us (as our battle is not against them). We actively wait on the Lord, serving faithfully in what we know He has called us to, until He moves us to the next leg of the race. We believe James’ encouragement to pure joy and we trust in the Lord’s promise to work all things together for good.
Long-distance runs are often lonely, offering space for peace and reflection. But it is also a gift to have others running beside you—chatting as you go, helping take your mind off the distance and the pain and spurring you on to finish well. Make sure you keep trusted friends around you—not just to encourage, but also to challenge you and keep you in the race.
Now that I’m 60, I’m looking forward to running my first half marathon later this year, with my son and son-in-law by my side! My wife and I are also excited that, after 18 months of waiting to be fully accepted in our village, we are now seeing people open up to the Lord. We have just started a Bible study and are having some great conversations.
What might the Lord have in store for you in this next leg of your faith race?
