Finish the race strong:

For those who know me, they know that I have really developed a love for running.  This has not always been there, but I have really started to develop into a runner.  I have completed quite a few 5ks, 10ks, and one half marathon.  (That being one of my proudest accomplishments in my life).  This year my goal is to run 750 miles.   I have so far ran over 450 miles.  

Running has taught and given me a lot.  But one of the best things about running is that it also has a lot of symbolism to verses in the Bible and how we should all view our walk of faith.  The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  I love this verse.  This is, of course, the verse that inspired this particular blog.  I love it because it is simple, but it also reminds me of the bigger picture within the Christian faith.  The Christian faith is in many ways like a race, a race that is more like a marathon as opposed to a sprint.  It is not always easy or fun, but it is worth it in the end.    

When running or racing, there are few different things that I have experienced, and I imagine many other runners have as well.  First is the hills.  Now, I live in Iowa, so I know that comparatively to many other people in other parts of the world, I don’t have hills.  I have little bumps in the road at most, nothing to the amount that states like Colorado have.  However, these are still an incline and therefore require more energy.  We are all going to experience hills, or in some cases mountains in our lives.  There will be disappointments, loss, and heartbreak at different points.  And just like running, those hills are going to require more energy to get up.  They also will often make one tired and be incredibly painful.  The good news is that our extra source of energy that we need is actually from the Lord.  He gives us the extra love, grace, and support that can get us up any hill or mountain that we have and will ever face. 

Another big element is fatigue.  Fatigue, like in all things, is being tired.  This fatigue could be because of the hills and hard trails.  However, there are times when I have felt as though I am exhausted the entire run and have to physically and mentally push myself to continue for seemingly no apparent reason.  I have learned, though, that a majority of the reason why I have particularly struggled on those runs and have experienced fatigue is because I am not taking care of my body correctly.  This is usually because I didn’t eat healthy food the days before that run or didn’t get enough sleep.   This also reminds me of our Christian faith, that when I don’t fill myself up spiritually by reading the Bible, fellowship with other believers, prayer, I start to struggle using my own tank to get through my days.  Just like I need to have the nutrition and the health that propels me forward in running, I need the correct spiritual nutrition to propel myself forward in my Christian race.    

Another thing is the runner’s high.  The thing that every runner loves! I feel this is the main reason why there are runners, even if they won’t necessarily say that in those words.  When people ask why I love to run, I definitely just want to say that runner’s high.  I love that feeling  as though I could run forever.  In our Christian faith, this is the opposite of the hard places.  This is the part of the Chritian run/race where one is the closest God that one can be.  This is the opposite of running with fatigue.  

Lastly, there is the completion of the race or run.  Besides runner’s high, this is the best part of the run.  Not because I hate the run part, but there is nothing better than being proud of the work accomplished and the great feeling in the body after finishing a run.  In many ways, this is similar to the peace and completeness that a person can feel once they have finished the race that God has planned for them.  

In 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I often don’t win races.  I am definitely not the fastest runner in the bunch, not even close.  I mostly get medals for a few completion, and sometimes an age category medal.  So, is Paul saying that you are only being a good Christian if you win a lot, that would not be good in my favor.  However, I don’t think that is what this verse is entirely saying.  This verse is reminding us that when we run the race, our Christian race, our prize at the end will be spending the rest of our time in joy and peace with God.  Therefore, keep running your race. Run up the hills, run through the fatigue and run through the good.  The prize is waiting at the end.