The Race
The Track Meet is over. My running partner and I have had the opportunity to meet and compete with some of the older athletes in the World (participants must be over 50 years of age). Getting to know a few of them has been a marvelous lesson in fortitude and commitment to task. Watching a near ninety year old lady run (I am being gracious here) a 400 meter (and some shorter events) race and win a gold medal (she was the only entrant her age) was priceless. She was sweet and talkative when we spoke with her. She wasn’t sure in which state she lives, but she knew she was proud of her medals.
There were other 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 year old racers, jumpers, shot-put and discus throwers, etc. My running partner and friend is going home with Gold (400 meter relay), Silver (50m run), and Bronze (100m run) medals – and has just finished her first game (which her team won) in the Soccer tournament now in progress, so more Gold may yet lie in her future.
I manage to win Silver in the 3000m race, losing the Gold medal to a man who was not even in the race. (It’s a long story) So no gold for me – but I was just hoping to make the event – so I am not disappointed.
I am reminded that Scripture says we are all in a race of sorts. A race we are to finish well. It is the race of Spiritual life which was purchased for us by the sacrificial death of Christ on Calvary’s cross. Running with patience, resolve, commitment, and Godliness is to be the pattern of our life in Christ. When that race is finished, for those who have run well, there is laid up for us an infinite treasure. God has promised to give us eternity with Him, in a place unspeakable, an unimaginable.
Some of us move faster than others. Some have little treasure there, and much here. Some have much treasurer there, while having little here. The race is not about Gold medals (or Silver or Bronze), rather it is about finishing well by bring obedient to the revealed Truth found in His book, the Bible.
Set your mind on things above, and not on things of he Earth. Lay up treasure in Heaven. Do what is right and good according to God’s Word, and run the race with patience in the power of God’s Spirit in you!
If you are hearing or reading this note – the race ain’t over yet!!