Marathon Mode - Take the Cup

So, this is a blog about MY life. It includes stories, testimonies, struggles and ways I can think of and up to encourage myself - AND YOU - along this spiritual marathon/race we’re on. No matter what I share, my goal is to always encourage, to make us think, and to point us to Jesus. I pray that you leave here encouraged! This, today, is a bit longer than normal, but is flowing from a heart which is feeling the strain of the race, but with feeling that, is more determined than ever before to win.

I don’t claim to have it all together, I’m simply an “old-er” girl running in the lane beside you, trying to make it to the finish line. And boy, does that seem harder on some days! Especially when I’m weary, frustrated and happen to glance over at another person beside me who seems to be running effortlessly, in complete unison with the wind. You know, like one of those advertisements where they have strategically placed every dot of sweat for the most effective photo op. I know, comparison is deadly! Remember that. It’s a trick.

Winning isn’t always about coming in first place and receiving a medal or trophy to display.

Sometimes, winning means pressing through when you’d rather quit, it means coming in last place but finishing anyhow, and some days it means you simply showed up with your running shoes on and walked your way toward the finish line. I’ve showed up in all the ways at one time or another!

I’ve also NOT showed up for the race at all. Yes, there have been days when I’ve quit before I ever got started. I’ve metaphorically reached for a coke and a bag of potato chips or a bowl of ice cream instead. That’s NOT at all recommended! Can I encourage us to at least get dressed up in the best shoes we have, show up…and start with every intention to finish? EVERY DAY!

Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, “…the race is not to the swift…” indicating that our strength and pace alone won’t always guarantee us first place. That’s because God is Sovereign and we are encouraged to rely upon His strength and wisdom. So, if the “swiftest” racer doesn’t always win, that’s perfectly good news for you and I. We just show up ready, do the best we can, then leave the rest to God!

A “race’ usually requires effort, discipline and perseverance. I’m sure we’re all aware of this, even for those of us whose feet have never hit a track or know how to spell marathon correctly for that matter. A marathon is serious business! It’s not about a leisurely walk, it’s so much more in every way. A person must be committed and have a made up mind, maintaining healthy eating and habits, and being ready physically and mentally to run effectively. Lord, help us!

We don’t show up by accident, it’s an intentional decision.

In another verse, I Corinthians 9:24, we read about racing again. Everyone runs, but only one receives the prize. Run like you want that prize! (My short translation and emphasis) Whether you are a fast runner, or if you will most likely come in last place and receive only a consolation prize, run like you’re going to get the biggest trophy. Like your life depends on it - because it does!!! A race demands our best, whatever that looks like on any given day. It’s more than just participating, or just ordering the shoes and shirt in anticipation of the day then sitting on the sidelines instead. In order to win, we must get dressed and push ourselves to do our best continually - and keep our eyes on the goal.

We can’t expect to look “pretty” and finish well; it takes grit and determination.

There are more verses about races in the Bible too. We’re told in Hebrew’s to lay aside any weight that would deter or slow us down. Don’t carry extra or unnecessary baggage while running. Don’t get tripped up in the snares of life - tests, trials and temporal distractions. Isaiah 40:32 teaches us to rely upon God to give the strength necessary to endure. We’ve got to be on guard and stay aware at all times too, the enemy sends all kinds of obstacles our way to try and hinder us. Remember those fiery darts?!

Funny thing, this morning I received a text message from an unknown sender warning me that I’d not paid a toll fine and there would be consequences to pay — and I haven’t even been anywhere near a toll road. True story! That’s kind of like the distractions and lies we must be cognizant of daily, for they threaten to keep us sidetracked on our spiritual path of life.

Remember, the devil is the accuser of the brethren. Know his noisy, accusatory voice!

And above all, Matthew 24:13 tells us if we’ll just endure to the end, we’ll be saved - we’ll be winners. That’s the voice we want to give heed to, my friend.

Remember, it’s not about running a flawless race, it’s not about being the fastest, it’s not even about looking the greatest while running; it’s about showing up ready, doing your best every day, and staying with it until you’ve reached the end. There’s something to be said about finishers! Of course we want to strive to get first place, but the ultimate goal is just to finish. That’s a win! That should take a lot of weight off of our shoulders.

We don’t have to be the one standing in first place to be considered a winner in this race. Keep at it!

Sometimes, the race of life feels to be an impossible task and we find ourselves overwhelmed and wanting to run away and hide. You know, stay hidden in the locker room. Just ask me! I was tempted to do so just this morning if I’m honest.

Nobody said it would be easy, no matter which lap you’re on or which track you’re running.

Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane was overwhelmed in His humanity and wanted that cup to pass from Him. Sometimes we just don’t feel like we can take one more blow. It’s okay! Keep running!

Somehow we have to block everything else out and focus on the prize we’ll gain if we’ll just keep pressing through. Don’t worry about what you did wrong, the misstep you took, or the shoelaces which have come untied. That’s actually the perfect time for us to stoop to our knees and lay it all down at the feet of Jesus, opening our hearts to Him for help and healing. He doesn’t chastise us for that, He welcomes our weaknesses because His strength is made perfect right there. Recognize it, take care of what you can, lay it at the feet of Jesus and keep running. Don’t let the temptations or the voices of this world cause you to lose focus,

of course it looks easier to sit in the bleachers, but we don’t win races there. We must participate to win.

My friend, if you’re tired or weary with this race, it’s okay. Every racer reaches their limit, but that’s when God gives us an extra dose of strength and endurance to go one more step. Then two. Then three. Remember that verse in Hebrews 12, which says we’re “compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses”? Even if you feel you have no support or that all the world is against you, remember this: There is an Almighty God watching over you, a group of people who have finished their race already in the cloud right above you, and people running beside you in the same race you are who are cheering you on toward the finish line. We’re not in this alone! Never believe that lie from the adversary. It’s one of his oldest tricks! Remember this,

Jesus finished His course, so we could complete ours.

He is on our side, fighting on our behalf. What more do we need?

This may be a little lengthy today, but I believe with all my heart that we are beginning the final lap of the race (marathon). My friend, we’re running (or walking) our last mile toward the finish line. Don’t quit! This last mile might be the most difficult one yet, we may face things we never even imagined possible. Believe me! We may fall and scrape a knee or tweak an ankle, we may have tunnel vision or become dehydrated, our shoes strings may come untied or even be knotted up like craziness…but don’t quit.

Don’t give up and head for a moment of ease over by the concession stand…that’s reserved for circus patrons. We’re runners in a race, not spectators. We’re running a marathon.

Lastly, there are stations along any marathon path where a runner can obtain things they need to continue on. These stations are stocked with items designed to refuel and offer first aid too - and there are people there who have been trained to help us keep running successfully. They know how to help us succeed if we make it to their station!

Church is like one of those stations we need when we become weary or in pain during this race of life. Don’t avoid it, take advantage of every opportunity to visit - and participate. The following tips concerning how to use aid stations is from an actual marathon book and I want to parallel it with church, our “filling station” - there are so many benefits of regular church attendance, where the Spirit of God can move freely and we can be renewed.

Marathons have regularly set up aid stations. Here are the tips for getting the most out of them (my comparison to church is in italics):

1. Do your research. KNOW your place to get what you need spiritually.

2. Know what’s on the menu. KNOW that when you get there, you’ll find what you need.

3. Think ahead. KNOW why you’re going and go expecting to receive and be nourished.

4. Grab that cup! KNOW that you must put forth effort to receive the strength you need. Reach out!

5. Drink from that cup! KNOW that you must not only hear or receive, but you must put into action those things you’ve heard into your life.

6. Shut off your music. KNOW that you must block everything else out in order to hear from God and the spiritual authority He’s placed in your life.

7. Don’t stop if you don’t have to. KNOW that going to church isn’t always about receiving, sometimes we get what we need by praising and giving/helping others along. Don’t just go and sit!

8. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. KNOW in your heart that you’re in this for the long haul so get what you came for. Don’t rush through the moment, focus and leave energized and encouraged to continue on.

9. Cool off! In a race runners pour water on their head. KNOW when you get to church that you need a fresh dose of the Holy Ghost to keep the “sweat” (the contaminates) of the world off of you and stay refreshed.

10. Don’t stand still! KNOW that when you began this race you were in it to win it. Don’t stop until you’ve reached the finish line! Standing still is not growing or moving ahead. It’s a trap!

I hope this will encourage you today; it has me . As I’ve stopped to put my thoughts into words, God has opened up my heart and mind to both receive for myself, and share to cheer you on.

We are winners, running together!

We cannot run the race for anyone else, it’s a personal decision. It would be easy to quit some days, but that would be disastrous and leave us hopeless. This marathon is almost complete though. Keep running!!! The person running behind you might be depending upon your example too. Just a thought.

He’s waiting for us at the finish line, don’t you want Him to wrap you up tightly in His loving arms and to hear Him say, “Well done!”? I know I do, I’ve lived my whole life for that moment.

It’s a marathon and we’re almost finished, then we’ll receive the ultimate reward. And my goodness, it’s so much more satisfying and lasting than if we would’ve stopped for that bowl of ice cream or anything else from this world’s concession stand.

This is me offering you a cold cup of spiritual Gatorade for this last mile home! Please take the cup!

Let’s stay focused, use the aid stations (church) faithfully and appropriately, and let’s continue to encourage one another along, and all come in winners. We can do this, my friend.

Run on! We’re almost finished~

If you’ve been encouraged by this, take a moment to share with someone else. We’re in this together!