May 30th, 2023: Running The Race

 

Last Sunday, I watched the Calgary Marathon from a parking lot because I could not get where I needed to go due to the road blockage. I admire people who have such a commitment. My location was in the middle of the race, and some runners began to experience signs of physical stress due to the heat and the forest fire smoke still in the air.

Christians know that we also have our race to run as we learn to live our life of faith. How do we finish such a race when the heated challenges of this world begin to affect our spiritual condition?

We have our confidence in God: The opposite of that is fear. When we have fear, we don't think clearly. We tend to be overwhelmed and angry. We then put the blame on others for the troubles we have. We get disconnected from God ad His love for us.

It is a matter of life and death: The race we have embarked is one about life and death. It is more than physical death. It is the death of our human soul. Life is about having the ability to embrace God's goodness in the midst of troubles. It is about knowing who we are in God and who God is in our lives. When we lose touch with that truth, we are simply living dead.

Endurance is our accomplishment: We take one day at a time. We can not be too worried about tomorrow because we have no control over tomorrow. We can be so preoccupied with the future and forget the blessings of today. Every single extra moment we have in life is a holy moment. Embracing all that today has to offer is an act of faith.

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40: 31

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5: 3-4