Back in the 1960’s I ran on my high school cross-country team. The time it took me to finish a competitive race against other schools is nothing to brag about. But I can say that I finished the course. Unlike a couple of runners who blatantly cut across the course, taking a shorter route, I stayed within the boundaries laid out by course officials. As hard as it was and even though there were times when I was tempted to take a short cut too or when I thought that I could not make it, I finished the course.
Often runners ran side by side and the terrain that each of us had to run on was varied surfaces where they laid one foot down after the other. Sometimes I felt crowed by the competition, and in regard to the varied surfaces, at times there were puddles, obstacles that required that you maneuvered around then or jump over them. There were also unexpected, uneven surfaces runners had to contend with and there were also unnoticeable tripping hazards. But in spite of all that and more, I finished the course. There were runners who decided a letterman’s award was not worth the effort and they quit; I was not one of them. Even though the going was rough and tough, I finished the course. I may not have been in the top ten or even the top 50 finishers. No, I was far from those elite groups. I usually finished just a little over 100th place. Yet, I can report, unashamed of my finishing place, I finished the course.
Here we are in 2025, about 50 years later and I still remember the agony, the anxiousness, and of course, the aching muscles. Thank God that those high school cross-county races are a thing of the past. However, there is another race that I have to run, the Christian race. Now I know that all things work together for good because I can look back at my cross-country experience and find motivation to keep running for the Lord, regardless of the barriers, in spite of the conditions, notwithstanding the pains, and the never-ending temptations to follow the ways of those who either cheated or quit the race. In cross -country there was a deeper purpose for running. I have come to the realization that I was just developing the discipline to stay the course as one of Jesus’ disciples. And get this, my friend. I may not finish as some who are greater than me, but I’m sure that the Lord is pleased with the fact that I am still running, intent on finishing the course.
Here is a question for you: How are you doing in terms of running the Christian race? Are you running in such a way that you can apply the word of the Apostle Paul, words found in the closing verse? I hope that is the case. As a matter of fact, lets you and I make a pact. Let’s agree to finish the course. Even as we age, and younger runners on the Christian race take the lead, keep running, doing the best you can, and cheer the younger runners on! Have a great run this Tuesday and every day you are on this earth! Be blessed!
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 King James Version.)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King