Run the race - Matthew Fenn

Run the race: Acts 20:24 

I remember going to a summer camp many years ago that would be the defining moment in my decision to pursue Christ. You see at a young age I had accepted Christ, and made a proclamation of faith. It was until summer camp I began to realize what pursuing God really meant. The theme of this years camp was "Running the race," and this fit perfectly with me, because I ran track in high school. 

Throughout much of my high school years, it was rough because my family was going through issues, such as the possibility of a divorce looming overhead. I lived with my grandma because of it. I remember praying to God, asking him to help me in this situation. I would spend nights crying and praying for certainty. I remember this verse because of track which I became involved with. When I ran, I was decently fast, but more importantly, it allowed me to gain character and be able to understand Acts 20:24 better. 

You see, when you run you can't just jump out and run 3 miles and then flip off a switch. It takes time, kind of like our faith, God puts us into situations for our benefit. I tell you I prayed more than I ever had and God worked a miracle. Like many things from our hearts, to our physical bodies we have to build them up to take more. In track there are so many ways you can give up, and overall it is mental. Tell yourself you can do it, and the awesome thing about our lives is that like a coach cheering on a runner, Jesus is cheering us on. He can identify with the track we are running. He finished the race, and knows how to encourage us. 

When you run, never look anywhere but forward or towards the finish line. When your legs get tired start swinging your arms to pull you through it. When your legs are tired you know all you need to do is push and you'll get over the wall that you are facing. God gives us so many tools through which we can be encouraged. He cheers us on, even when the race is tough, and we feel like we can't finish, there is nothing more satisfying than passing the finish line. Paul makes that comparison in Acts 20:24, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish the course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." 

When we are living Gods word, and telling others of how he's helped us and how he's encouraged us to run the race we do it all for his righteousness. I love this comparison because to remain healthy in our physical and our spiritual lives we run to increase the muscles of our hearts, and over-all both aspects of our bodies. As we run we may develop muscle, but as we run with Jesus we develop Godly character and are better able to represent Christ for it. 

God has transformed my life in so many ways, he does not always promise the road will be easy, but that he will always be with us. We fear all the time that we wont make it, but we have someone constantly cheering us on, even when we want to give up or lay down when we are out of breath. He truly as given me an understanding of the race we run, and how he is using every detail of our lives to bring glory to Himself. We may not always see where the track may go at the moment but with great expectation we know that that end is Jesus.