Endurance Requires Courage

Week 27, Weekend

Sandy Smith

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

It takes courage to endure a 5K race when you are giving it your all and everyone else seems to be effortlessly approaching the finish. When my son ran cross-country in high school, he got up every morning to run with his team before classes. On those cold, dark fall mornings, encouraged by their coach, the team would work hard to improve their times. In the beginning Matt’s form was loose and his body worked against him, but with hard work and discipline, he improved, and so did his time.

Unlike other races, cross-country is not run on a track but on a course laid out by the hosting school. Before the race, the runners preview the course and plan their strategy. At race time, scores of participants crowd the starting line vying for a good position. A flag is raised and then . . . bang! Hordes of runners, arms and legs striding, reach to cover the unclaimed ground in front of them. Spectators line the course cheering and shouting. Coaches yell out mile times to let the runner know if he is keeping pace.

Eagerly, my husband and I would position ourselves at half-mile intervals to encourage our son with positive words in the difficult middle mile. I remember the lump that that would form in my throat as I watched my son go by and I could hardly speak as I witnessed his determined effort. Matt won many medals, all the way to the state competition, but there were also hard days when he finished the race bent over, heaving from exhaustion, and with a wrenched stomach. Cross-country increased my son’s confidence, strengthened him physically, rewarded his efforts, and built camaraderie with his teammates.

Life is like a challenging extended race. It takes spiritual discipline and dedication to achieve the goal of Christlikeness. In the beginning there is much to overcome but persistent work pays off. There are many others vying for position in life, so our focus must be on what is true. There are coaches along the way to encourage us if we humbly yield to their instruction. We will have good days and really hard days. If we have the courage to endure, our confidence in God will increase, we will be spiritually strengthened, our efforts will be rewarded, and our fellowship with believers will deepen.

Dear Lord, thank You for the race and cheering me to victory. Help me to be persistent in my discipline and to humbly yield to experienced life coaches. Let me be an encouragement to others along the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.