I stood there on the starting blocks ready for the sound of the starter’s pistol. Glancing to either side, I found myself in the company of other boys my age, all eager for the race to begin. I was representing my school’s team in a track-and-field event. My first event of the day was the 800-yard dash.
Photo by Tirza van Dijk
The pistol shot rang and I took off. I quickly broke off from the pack and took an early lead. By the time I finished my first lap, I was more than a quarter of a lap ahead.
Before you think I was just that awesome, I should back up a bit. I hadn’t originally trained for the 800-yard dash. At the beginning of the school year, I was actually placed in the 200-yard dash. I was a good sprinter. Then, just three weeks before the event, I was moved into the 800-yard category because our original runner was injured. So, while I had trained to do one 200 yard lap as fast as I could, in the 800 yard dash I would have four laps. I didn’t have long to train for the extra laps. Therefore, my early lead would not last long. And it didn’t.
As I neared the finish of my second lap I was more than a half a lap ahead, but I was really tired. My lungs were burning and my legs felt like rubber. I tried to keep my pace, but my energy was spent. It wasn’t long before the rest of the pack caught up… and passed. By that point, I’m not even sure you could call what I was doing a jog, it was barely a fast walk, but I pressed on.
Rounding the turn to finish my third lap, I looked up at the crowd, hoping to find some encouragement. Instead, I found many of the spectators laughing and pointing—at me. Even my coach was laughing. He was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. I was devastated.
Ready to Quit
I began to wonder why I should keep running. I didn’t ask for the 800; I wasn’t prepared for the 800. It seemed unfair. As I fast-walked my way pass the starting line, finishing my third lap, I longingly looked at the benches on the inside of the track. I wanted to quit.
Then I heard a familiar voice yelling from the infield. It wasn’t my coach, it was my best friend. He was cheering me on. Oh, to have a friend cheering you on! I did my best to ignore the laughter from the crowd and focused on his encouragement.
I would love to tell you that I got a second wind, charged off, overtaking my competitors, and won the race. But I didn’t. No, I was so far behind that I was only 50 yards into my last lap when everyone else was crossing the finish line. For several minutes it was only me on that track. There was nothing graceful about my efforts anymore, I just wanted to finish.
Completely exhausted, I finally crossed the finish line. My friend, and a few other teammates, ran up to congratulate me. I didn’t place—not even close—but I finished. I finished a race that was much larger than I was prepared for. I may not have won a medal that day, but I did not give up. And as I’ve learned, for much of life it is winning just to finish.
Running the Race Set Before Us
This is even more true when it comes to our spiritual life. Our journey with Jesus is like a race. It’s not one we are necessarily prepared for though. Hebrews 12:1–3 gives us great advice on how to finish the race.
Let go of what entangles you. How well could you race with your legs tangled in rope? Not at all. Just like any other area of life we must see what might get in the way of reaching our goal, and let go of it. Want to be successful at that amazing job that starts early in the morning? Then you might need to let go of your strong desire to sleep in. Want to be successful in losing weight? Then you may need to let go of the donuts. Want to have eternal life? Then you will have to get rid of the things that get in the way of your relationship with Jesus.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Jesus is the reason we start the race and He’s also the reason we will finish. You must not listen to any who might mock you or try to discourage—keep your eyes on Jesus. Fortunately, when we choose to follow Christ, we run the race with a compassionate Coach and a faithful cheering section. So tune out the naysayers and listen to His encouragement: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Don’t give up! The race may be harder than you originally thought it would be, but keep going. It is worth it to finish. In case we might be tempted to quit, Paul reminds us what is waiting at the finish line: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7).
You may be tired and ready to quit, but do not give up! In this race, finishing is winning. You started with Jesus, stay with Jesus!