Keep on Running!

Run! Run! Run! 
The track is long 
getting longer 
not what I 
expected 
but this is race 
to the finish 
step by step 
to the goal 
He put in place. 

He planned out
the path ahead
prepared his runner
with practice runs
and breaks for rest
time to eat 
be refreshed
water for thirst
then shows the path
so run! Run! Run!

I’m not actually a runner—I much prefer speed walking—but I definitely relate to all the imagery in the Scriptures about running the race. Life that has purpose is like that: you have a goal, and reaching it takes energy and commitment. It includes a goal for service here on earth. It is also that ultimate goal of joining our Lord in life forever.

When my Master made it clear that he wanted me to analyze an unwritten language and produce its alphabet, then clarified that he was leading me into Bible translation in that language, I had no idea what a long race he was telling me to run.

As with any race, there are moments when it is fun, full of discoveries as you go around a corner and see something new or exotic, or maybe you hear the voices of faithful companions cheering you on with encouragement or prayer, or see someone personally touched by your race and its goal. Here’s an example of that last one: a newly translated psalm was read to a Nyarafolo group and a woman burst out, “I had no idea you could talk to God like that, pouring out your feelings, not just creating an elaborate prayer!” And someone else, hearing a New Testament passage, said: “So that is what that verse meant—I always wondered!” 

We knew we were working for our Master and he had purpose in all the long days of plowing through details, dealing with edits and figuring out how to communicate key meanings. But it definitely took perseverance. That word has become a banner for me, an underlying principle which reminds me that spiritual work, ministry for Jesus, is a long-term investment. And it is not done for nothing:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

It may seem ironic that we are to be “immovable” while working hard. Work takes activity, right? But here it means we are to remain solidly committed to the task given us. We need to keep on applying ourselves to what the Master puts before us. In the imagery of the race, we run hard, we keep on running even when we reach a challenging section of the path that requires leaps or swerves. This is what the writer of Hebrews was underlining by remembering how so many faithful followers of the Lord had kept on keeping on, putting their faith in the Lord:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2-2 NIV)

Jesus showed us how to run. He knew that he was here for a very special purpose, so he ran through every hard space and even up to that agonizing death, reaching the finish line set before him. He knew what joy was waiting for him past what looked like the end to those on earth watching him be murdered. He knew that he would rise to life, and that his death and resurrection would offer amazing gracious rescue to anyone who would accept it. So he threw off the hurts and the slander of those opposing him. He accepted the tough path. He did not give up. He made it to the goal and brought us the path to Life!

Along the way, Jesus did have moments of great encouragement has he saw people healed, as he saw crowds gather to soak in the truth of his messages, and also when he went away to quiet places to be refreshed in the Presence of God. He knew who he was and why he had become a human. All of it was a part of his race.

So it is with us. We gladly gobble down the nourishment he gives us, strength for the race. We rest in his loving care when we stop striving on our own and converse with him. And we keep on running the path that he lays out for us, trusting his guidance. He has promised:

 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. (Prov. 4:11-12 NIV)

On those days when we have clear direction, we soak in the joys of ministry, of seeing fruit. Then there are also days of strenuous training when the Master builds up our endurance so that we can run longer stretches or deal with more uphill slopes. All of that is training that is normal for athletes; they have to build up their strength in order to compete.  And we are definitely in a kind of race and need to have our strength and agility increased. He said we would not stumble, but that is if we rely on the wisdom he provides. We have to listen to the Coach! As Paul said:

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. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

This race requires strict training! It demands self-discipline which is actually a willingness to release control of my own self to the Coach. When an athlete goes into training, he is directed into grueling practice sessions to build up strength and competence.

So it is with us as we run this spiritual race. We must relinquish our selfish yearnings and instead enjoy the delight of delighting our Leader, our Coach and Sustainer. He does give joy! We are to remember to thank him for the joy of knowing him, the joy of knowing what he is saving for us as a prize, the joy of living life with purpose that is far beyond anything this world can offer. Someday all the darkness will be gone and we will live with him in the kingdom of light. For now, we do all we can to respond willingly to the coaching of the Spirit and run the path set before us wherever it leads, trusting him. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians can become our prayer for ourselves as we run this race:

[I] continually ask God to fill [me] with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that [I] may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [I] may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified [me] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Col. 1:9b-12 NIV)

Let’s keep on running!

*photo credit Daniel Reche