Endurance

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith”- Hebrews 12:1-2

When I was a young boy of six it was the only time that my older sister was taller than me. To be honest, I can hardly remember being that small as I now stretch out to just over 6′10″. A few years later and I remember running behind Frank Bennish’s tractor as he ployed our grandparents field and I can’t remember a time when I ran more in my entire life. That field was nearly a quarter of a mile long and it took great endurance that day to keep on running behind that tractor. What about the race that is set before us today? How do we do over the race course of life? “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”- 1 Timothy 4:7.

That day long ago when I chased that tractor as it churned our field into deep dirt I recall how exhausted I was. My legs ached and my feet were very sore. Yet even through the agony of the aftermath I thoroughly enjoyed that afternoon. In turn, the Apostle Paul had disciplined his body for the race that was set before him. He had sought to run the race in order to win the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). He continually pressed toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

Now, whenever I reflect back on that freshly churned field, my memory takes me back to that special day. I had run that race with endurance just as I now run my current race with the same momentum. How are you doing on your race track of life? Are you looking unto Jesus as the Author and Finisher of your faith? Many of my close friends remind me that I am not in the physical shape to run such a race today and they are probably right. My perspective has changed as to the things I now consider important. Now I find myself more immersed in the word of God over that of physical exercise. And, there are times when three or four hours in the word seems like mere seconds. It is akin to that race and how fast the time went as I chased Frank Bennish’s tractor on that warm Michigan afternoon.

The difference now is that I look at my race with different eyes. As should we all, I look toward Jesus Christ and I am no longer tired as I do so. In my early days of my Christian walk, Bible study seemed like a chore but no more. Now I am daily refreshed as I immerse myself in His word. There is no better way to run our race through life than that. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”- John 17:3. Why not exercise your spirituality today?