The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
December 30, 2001
In
This Issue:
What
Kind of Race are You Running?
by
David Posey
What Kind of Race Are You Running?
We know Christianity is a race and it must be run with endurance. But why do you run? The answer can make all the difference in the world.
We thought it was just another routine run to the rifle range, but it turned into a tortuous marathon. Seems a new company commander wanted to test our mettle and did it by forcing us to run the whole 8 miles. We did it in combat boots, with a full pack on our backs, and our M-1 rifles at "port arms" (held out in front of the body). The crisis came when, instead of turning toward the barracks at the normal place, the Captain made us run around the massive parade field at Fort Ord.
At that point, one-by-one, exhausted GIs fell out of the run and were summarily abused by the various drill sergeants scatted through the company. Fearing the abuse, I continued. Soon though, thoroughly spent, and feeling I couldn't grab another breath of air, I slowed down and was about to crumple to the ground in a heap, not caring what the DI's did to me - nothing could be as bad as this, I thought.
As I slowed down, my best friend at the time ran up to me and said, "David, you can't quit; you're a squad leader" (it got me out of guard duty). So now I had two compelling reasons not to drop out - fear and guilt. Somehow I summoned the strength to go on and, shortly after, the CO called a halt to the run. I had finished the race, but barely, and only because I feared the consequences of not finishing.
Compare that to the case of being asked to run in a marathon for the benefit of someone who, five years ago, risked his life to save the life of your daughter. You still get exhausted, you still "hit the wall" at some point and you still end up barely able to breathe. But you finish the race, because of the love you have for the man who, virtually, gave his life for someone you love.
Now, in both of these situations, the race was run and completed. But who do you suppose would be more satisfied? Who ran a more confident race? Who felt better about the race itself?
The Bible says, "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith" (Heb. 12:1-2). Paul says, "run in such a way that you may win" (I Cor. 9:24). Those who run the Christian race out of fear and constant guilt may still finish it. But they are not going to be very happy doing it - they will be like I was running around the parade ground at Fort Ord. But those who run the race because they are so full of gratitude for what God has done will not only finish the race, but will also be confident and satisfied. And that's only right for, after all, we are "complete in Christ" (Col. 2:10).
By David Posey, via Focus Magazine, March 2000