Run with Endurance
Over the past few weeks and months, we have all had to try to find things to do that might have been different. Some have done nothing but binge shows on TV or Disney+, while others have landscaped as if they were trying out for a new show on HGTV.
For one woman in Florida, though, the lockdowns in that state led her to set a new record. She has run a marathon…every day…for over 80 consecutive days. She shattered the old record of 61 consecutive days running a marathon and claims that her plan is to run 100 days in a row.
At first, due to lockdowns, she ran the 26.2 miles on a treadmill, but for the past several weeks she has been able to run outside every day, which is also her plan for finishing out the 100 days. [Source]
When reading that story, the first passage that came to mind was Hebrews 12:1, which includes the phrase “run with endurance.” But I want to look at it from a slightly different angle than we usually do.
Typically, when we have lessons on that passage, we are simply reminded that the Christian race is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. That picture is true and needed, because it reminds us of the need for endurance over the course of our life.
But, with the record-breaking runner in mind, what about this thought: is there a sense in which each day can be a marathon?
Are there not days, or even seasons, of our life where each day feels as if we are running on fumes and where just finishing out the day is a success? Are there not times in our Christian lives where get worried each time the phone rings or a text comes through, because it seems as if it is only more bad news or another stressor?
And then…the next day…it’s the same thing again?
How can we handle those times? We follow the same advice, found in the same text. “Looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).
It is not often, but sprinkled throughout the Gospel accounts, there are times where we have what I like to think of as “a day in the life of Jesus.” Basically His entire schedule for the day is set before us. When we realize that’s what we are reading, we can feel exhausted just considering all He did in one day. (One example is Luke 14:1-17:10. Just go through that section and look at all Jesus did in one day.)
And then the realization hits us: this was probably a fairly typical day in the life of Jesus! (see John 21:25)
My point in this is not to tell us that we are lazy because we aren’t doing as much in a day as did Jesus. Instead, what I want us to know is that Jesus understands these marathon days that we have. He knows the exhaustion. He knows the feeling of going from sunup to sundown, all the while knowing that the next day could very well be the same way.
And, yet, Jesus also is our perfect example in staying focused in those busy, marathon-like days. He never got off track. He never lost sight of His purpose. He even made time to commune with His Father.
If you’re seemingly running one marathon after another, look to Jesus. He understands, but He also shows you how to do it.
Run with endurance.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
