Written by Suzanne Clark
I love the concept of the Christian life being compared to running a race. Paul used this analogy throughout scripture. If I was a runner, this would make for a much better lesson. Oh well…
My mom used to tell a story about their horse, Dan. She grew up on a tobacco farm and before they could afford tractors, they used horses to pull their plows. Dan had a mind of his own and a schedule of his own. The most important appointment on Dan’s calendar was at the end of the day with his feeding trough. And Dan was willing to do whatever it took to get there—and not just get there but get there quickly. If that meant dragging the person who was guiding the plow down the row, then so be it. Dan was hindered by nothing. Regardless of the how, Dan was determined to be first. Throughout the day, Dan was mindful to keep a few paces ahead of the other horses. If he sensed the unthinkable was about to happen, and one of the other horses was going to beat him to the trough (his prize), he would shift into another gait to ensure he was first. Wow! I want to be like Dan. I want to have a singular focus on my prize (Jesus), and I want to run my race with the same unbridled enthusiasm that Dan had. I want to arrive one day at the gates of glory and hear my Savior say, “Well done.”
I was reminded recently that there is only One person’s “Well done” on that last day that matters. We live for an audience of One! At the end of time, it doesn’t matter how many people liked us, how many good things we’ve done. “All that matters is whether we honored God and stewarded the life and ministry He entrusted to our care.” (Carson)
As believers, we enter the race at salvation. This is a one-time decision. Then, we run the race every day of our lives based on the choices we make.
Heb 12:1-2 “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.”
These verses are an encouragement because of the great cloud of witnesses who finished well. If they can do it, then so can I. Their ability to persevere through all life has to throw at you, fuels my faith. Hebrews 11 is known as the “Faith Hall of Fame.” These are my pennies. They are the ones I look to as examples of people who ran their race well. As I wake up each day to run my race, my faith will be strengthened because the God of the Hall of Famers is also My God. Each victory I experience is an affirmation of his faithfulness to me.
The second half of Hebrews 12: 1 says, “Let us lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
I think about David (Hebrews 11 Hall of Famer) when he was preparing to fight Goliath and Saul gave him his armor. It was too heavy and awkward for David. All David needed was God. The armor was just excessive baggage that was hindering David from his victory. Sometimes our baggage is not so visible and tangible. We may be weighed down by things that are not so easily identifiable – guilt, regret or unforgiveness. Nonetheless, these things are heavy.
I heard someone say, “We need to ensure we are not asking God to help us carry the heavy bags, but instead asking God to deliver us and help us let it go.”
Don’t you know it grieves our savior when we hang on to sin? –the weight, the heaviness that our frail frames were never meant to bear. When all the while we can cast our cares on Him. I love Matthew 11:30 that says, “His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.” I know it saddens our Savior when we cling to sin that he paid the price for through an unthinkable death on the cross. It is as if we are saying Jesus’ death was not sufficient to cover my sin.
The race set before us is our purpose. God’s purpose for our life should be our #1 priority.
We were specifically placed on earth at this moment. No one else can run our race. This is a pit we often fall into. If I don’t do it, someone else will. If I don’t go on the mission trip, if I don’t share the gospel, if I don’t serve – someone else will. But what if you look at it a different way? What if you are the one person who God put on this earth at this time to share the gospel with this specific person. What if you’re their one chance to know Jesus? What if that is your race and you choose not to run it?
The question then becomes willingness. Is there a “yes” in your spirit? Are you willing to say yes to whatever God asks you to do.
So, let’s land where we started. Dan ran determined, unhindered, with laser focused on his prize. May we run with that same passion toward our prize – Jesus. May we remember the great cloud of witnesses who ran their races well. May their lives encourage us to be unconstrained and “weightless” so we, too, can finish the race strong.
To finish well, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the finish line.
*Sometimes, “pennies in your path” show up in the “Faith Hall of Fame.”
View my conversation with Suzanne about this topic over on my YouTube channel, Pennies in Your Path.
Question: If God desired to use only you to fulfill a specific purpose, is there a “Yes, Lord” in your spirit?
Growing Deeper-
One Action Step: Decide to live your life for an audience of One. Put aside anything that is hindering you from running your race well. Be willing to say “Yes” to whatever He is calling you to do. Remember, He is your purpose!
Scripture Plunge: Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 11:30, Hebrews 11; 12:1-2
About the Author:
Suzanne Clark is a gifted storyteller whose simple truths and spiritual messages will draw you in and tug on your heartstrings. She shares her passion for Jesus through the personal struggles of losing her one-month-old son, Zachary, to God’s transformational healing of her soul from brokenness to joy. She believes that life is too short not to laugh, love, and share your heart. Suzanne brings readers encouragement, inspiration, and Godly wisdom to their everyday life, all the while encouraging them to laugh along the way. Suzanne is the author of Cry Out to Jesus and Blessed Be the Tie. You can connect with her on Facebook and Instagram
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