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"I
run ..." (1 Corinthians 9:26)
_____________________________
A Fun Run
John
Bingham is an incurable runner. In a recent
Runner's World article he wrote: "In
1997, finishing [the Dallas White Rock Marathon]
in 4 hours 35 minutes, we were nearly last. In
2006, finishing in 4:35 puts you right in the
middle. For many, races are no longer final
exams - they are parties we throw to celebrate the
completion of our training."
If
we could shift our perspective of the Christian
journey in that same way, it might make a
significant
difference.
Some
of us view life as one long exam. Everything is a
test - of strength, endurance, intelligence,
personality, charm, or ability. We succeed only
when we better those around us or better our own
last effort. Failure to improve or excel produces
disappointment, discouragement or gritty
determination for the next attempt.
We
apply this philosophy to our business,
child-rearing, and our faith. We berate ourselves
for
every failure to improve, and expect that a string
of quiet times will make us higher achievers with
God - higher than others and higher than our own
personal best at the moment. Everything becomes a
test. Have we met the standard for evangelistic
fervor, social justice, moral purity,
Christ-likeness, spiritual giftedness, etc? Gotta set a new record!
Perhaps
our spiritual lives would be better construed as a
party than an exam. We "run" - we live life with
zest and effort - to celebrate. We pursue God not
because we have to or need to, but because we can
and we want to. We follow Christ, not because we
fear a fateful encounter in eternity which might
demand account from us, but because His grace
makes every day a fresh start.The
final "judgment" will not be a time for
condemnation but celebration. The Father loves us
so deeply that He will not seek to shame us one
last time before we enter our Eternal Rest (see
Hebrews
4:9-11).
Runners
who must always achieve new personal bests and
remain at the top of the field, eventually stop
running. Their bodies inevitably turn a corner.
Knees fail, muscles weaken, and lungs lose their
capacity. Competitive running is no longer
possible. But celebratory running is always
possible. Chronic "exam-takers" give it up. They
can no longer improve. They've lost control. They
retreat into disappointment, forsake their
conditioning, and relinquish their
joy.
Party-people
last. They bask in the fresh air, soak up the
outdoors, and celebrate that they can move at all.
They don't need to outrun anyone. They don't have
to better themselves. They take today - and the
gift that it is - and simply seize the opportunity
to enjoy
it.
Our
spiritual journeys might be decidely more fruitful
and fulfilling if we could shake off the final
exam and start to celebrate more. Rather than
castigate ourselves for a pound or two of
spiritual flab, let's grab our gear (prayers,
favorite Scripture verses, a new devotional to
read, some Christian music, an icon if it helps)
and smile because we can ... and He smiles,
too.
Today's
another fresh
start.
In
HOPE
-
David | 
