I am not a runner. Like at all. I will happily agree to hike a mountain, but ask me to run a mile and I’ll decline. However, despite my personal preferences, my perspective on what it means to finish a race—and finish it well—was recently altered. During our training, we had the chance to volunteer at the Ironman World Championship.
As we volunteered and watched the race, we had the opportunity to see many of the athletes at the starting line, in transition, and at the finish line. When they would pass by, the crowds would cheer loudly. Although the athletes appeared understandably exhausted after 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running, you could see the immense happiness and satisfaction they felt once they finally made it to the end. The announcers would say to the athletes as they crossed the finish line, "You are an Ironman."
The joy that these athletes had reminded me of the ultimate joy that we will experience when we finish our race and hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Life is hard, there is no doubt about it. But no matter how difficult it seems, keep pressing on. Let us all run well to be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Walk in faith and obedience to what the Lord is calling you to do. It will all be worth it in the end!
"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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
-Hebrews 12:1-2