I am not a runner. Never have been, never will be. My husband however likes to run. A few months ago, I accompanied him to a race. I stood on the town levee, and from that view, I could see the beginning of the race, as well as the finish line. 

As the shot fired, the runners began. It was intriguing to see the wide variety of participants. Some appeared to be as old as 75 while others were so young they were pushed in a stroller by a running parent. I saw male and female, thin and heavy, athletic and nonathletic. 

I thought about Hebrews 12:1. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,..

Life’s Race

Race is the ancient Greek word agona, which can mean contest or struggle. As I watched the runners approaching the finish line, it was interesting to see how different each runner’s race was ending. I thought about how the race was like life. 

Everyone’s life is so different. God has set a race before each of us, a different path to follow. We must run our race. Sometimes the struggles we face along the path are of our own doing and other times they are sent from or allowed by God to strengthen our faith.

“Life isn’t fair” is a common comment. Perhaps truer are the words, life is not the same for everyone. We each have our own battles. For some, battles are large: disease, divorce, and death. For others, battles are small. Some have few battles throughout life, and others seem to be plagued by them. 

As I watched the people approaching the end, I thought what if this were the “real” finish line. After all, life is a race, which has an end. I imagined that the giant finishing banner was the gate to heaven. And these participants were finishing “the race set before them.” 

A Breeze

For some the race seemed so easy. As they passed me for the last 20 yards, they breezed by, not even out of breath. Life seemed pretty easy for them.

The Struggles

Others struggled. One teenager lost his breakfast as he neared the end. But he never broke stride. He was determined to be the best he could be, even at a price. Steadfast, he was going to finish life strong.

Some had the look of pure agony as they pushed themselves forward. Life had been a struggle–right to the very end. They were clearly in pain. Some limping, some barely breathing. Life had been physically demanding.

Others came across holding hands and supporting each other. Life had been full of family.  Some participants had fans along the sidelines yelling encouragement, clapping, or holding up signs. They were friends for life. Others were clearly on their own. Life had been lonely for them. 

Some little ones crossed over in a stroller. Life had been cut short. While others walked across, wrinkled and grayed. Life had been long.

On The Other Side

As people crossed over the line, they were met with joy, shouts, and pats on the back. No matter how they got there and no matter what condition, they finished the race set before them.

God wants us to run the race and to finish it right, striving to reach spiritual maturity. Whatever obstacles are on your course, keep your eyes focused on Jesus and keep running the race. The heavenly finish line has great reward.