“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

Yesterday I ran another half marathon.  As usual I experience various emotions throughout the race.  There is always a rush of adrenalin at the beginning, and if I am not too careful, I begin too fast; which I will surely pay for later in the race.  The last few miles are not bad, as the finish line is in sight and I know that I will finish.  But, oh those middle miles; I find them rather boring.  My body begins to tire, my feet hurt, my pace slows; I begin to think that I may not finish.  Questions like, “Why did I do this?” come to mind.  Sometimes I feel like an elderly person with a walker will soon pass me.  It is important that I begin to think right thoughts during those difficult middle miles; I must actually tell myself that I have trained for this, I have done such races many times, and most importantly that the negative things I am currently experiencing will pass…if I keep running.

Our walk with God is not much different.  Paul tells us to “run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.”  We will face challenges and difficulties; there will be times that we feel like giving up.  The Lord tells us that it is important to begin to think right.  Romans 12:2, “…be transformed by the renewing of our minds.”  The Lord has marked out our paths, he was empowered us by his spirit, his word tells us that we are “overwhelmingly conquerors” if we continue to walk the walk of faith.  In those challenging times, when the finish line seems an eternity away, keep walking; don’t give up.  The exuberant feeling at the end of a half marathon is nothing compared to the words of our Lord, “well done, good a faithful servant.”