God's Marathon

 

God’s Marathon

Hebrews 4:1-11

Hebrews  4:11 “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

     I recently watched the 10,000 meter Olympic trials for the women’s run.  It was a race!  It about pained me to see them go. Having some experience in long running in high school, I felt for them.

     They didn’t smile.  All along the race, competition held their pace. Breathing became the focus.  Strategy was on their minds as the last kicker laps ensued to overtake the leader.  A race.

     We are called to a similar event.  Before a great cloud of witnesses, we run.  Except our staying looks a bit different.  I call it staying because He wants us to run steady.

     Pace is paramount.  When we start, we continue.  About the track.  Lap for lap.  Turn comes and we bend the tangent.  Centrifugal force threatens our course.  He coaches to continue. Continue on.

     So what of testing?  What does this look like?  What if God just wants to see us run?  Under pressures day to day, He wants us to pace.  Not against an opponent.  Not fighting against the devil.  Just run.

     Again, as in previous writings, an AC motor is discussed.  At no load, its RPM is to be governed.  With a load, its RPM falls not.  In other words, an efficient motor exerts power in easy and hard times consistently.

     What if God just wants to see nonwavering output regardless of the trials He puts us in.  “Have you considered My servant Job?”

     We labor to enter the rest He has for us.  As a runner in times past, I gained rest when I reached optimum speed. When my heart and breathing plateaued, my pace was set.  It seemed I could run for miles when balance was found.

     Has He not called us to balance?  In the rigors of the day, He conditions us.  We learn what is our healthy pace.  When adversity comes, we may dip but come back to healthy speed.  Like a short dimming of the lights then back to full bright.  Some trials, yes, are longer than a moment.

     God is not so much interested in our winning but in our demonstrated endeavor.  He wants us to continually strive.  Through thick and thin, are we consistent in our character?  When tough times come, do we continue to bear fruit?  About dry times and flood, can others count on us to be rocks, the solid ones in whom they can trust?

     With God, it surely is a marathon but it is not a race.  Our competitor has no face.  The stands may be dead quiet.  No gun, no tape, no lanes. We wake each day to its own troubles.  Sufficient are they.  Are there hurdles on the track?  Mud holes to avoid?  Circumspection?

     When we get our pace, it is like the jet cruising at 50,000 feet.  Out of turbulence, above the clouds, appraising the sun.  Storms do come as we fly straight into them as He commands.  He knows the route.  We have piloted the craft in training.  Now it is time to hold course through sheer winds.

      Marathon means continuance.  The same, as our Father is timelessly the same.

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