The Marathon

     The Christian life is a marathon.  And we often find ourselves gasping for air, limping along on a strained hamstring, or perhaps, even wondering if we missed the marker and have somehow gotten off the course.  What's the solution?  First, we are "surrounded" by the "been there, done that" crowd.  It's called the "cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12.  They are not people who are watching us run.  They are the examples we have in Scripture--Hebrews 11--of those who ran the race by faith--to the end.  You can read all about them in Hebrews 11 and the Old Testament--and you should.  People just like us, running the race, getting tired, making "wrong turns," getting tired, getting hurt, getting tired, feeling all alone on the course, getting tired.  Do you know what they all found out?  His faithfulness is new every morning.  Walk with God and one day you'll look around and you'll be with Him in glory.  Go down to Egypt and lie out of fear, He'll find a way to turn it into a blessing.  Laugh to yourself about the absurdity of His promises, He'll fulfill them anyway.  Think you're all alone?  He'll take your hand and whisper, "Looking for Me?  Been here all the time.  Just lean on Me until you catch your breath, renew your strength.  They found that tired, wounded, or confused, He delighted in them.  No one was cheering louder for them than He was.  And do you know what truth kept them going no matter what their circumstances, no matter how steep the hill on the race home?  The marathon of life is nothing compared to the victory lap.  Keep running.  You'll never forget the hug the Coach will give you when you limp across the finish line.