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. — Hebrews 12:1
The New York City marathon is the largest running event in the world.
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In 2024, 56,012 began the race, which winds through all five boroughs of America’s largest city. Yet among that huge number, fewer than 10 runners had a realistic chance of actually winning. For most everyone else, the goal was not to win — it was simply to finish. Their competition was themselves. It didn’t matter what the crowd around them was doing. They had their own goal, their own race, and they were focused on accomplishing it.
An overwhelming majority did. Out of more than 56,000, just 366 did not finish. Garth Barfoot was the oldest to cross the finish line, at 88. It took him 11 hours and 23 minutes, but he got it done. Some people thought he was crazy and foolish to try at his age, but he didn’t care. He set a goal, trained for it and succeeded.
Training
The verse from Hebrews tells believers that we all have a race to run, with the goal of living a godly life. The movement away from God in our culture is making that a bigger challenge. Kind of like running a marathon. We have to train for it. Study God’s word, get involved in ministry, socialize with fellow Christians. We have to stay spiritually hydrated.
Going to church and Bible study can provide that drink of living water. We have to set the goal of finishing our Christian walk and focus on it. The secular world may think it foolish, even crazy, but that’s okay. They don’t get it. They’re running a different race, with a different goal.
Finish line
When faithful Christians finish their life marathon, the One waiting at the finish line will be Jesus Christ Himself. He probably won’t hang a medal around your neck or give you a tee-shirt. He will, however, welcome you to eternal paradise.
No matter when you finish, this will be a race you have won.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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