Run the Race

Last weekend our city concluded a multi-church DiscipleNow. For all who are far removed from the "youth group" era of life, this is a weekend long "camp-like" experience where students spend the night in homes (in our area) and come together for worship and other events.

It was awesome to see six churches, from various denominations, come together and make this happen. Over 300 students from our little city participated. It was a real spiritual high for many students.

March 1 is a day circled in red on my calendar. It is the day I'll attempt to run the Albany Marathon. A marathon is a grueling run of 26.21875 miles. Yes, it is necessary for me to include the .21875 because every inch of the race takes all the determination and perseverance from this last 30 something body of mine. In fact, this may be interesting to you, it was for me. My running buddy, who has completed quite a few marathons, told me a few weeks ago that you're halfway home during a marathon when you hit mile 20. Now, I wasn't a math major in college, but I can clearly see he wasn't referring to the mileage.

Remember, all of you who made decisions at DiscipleNow. Standing at the front of the church during an emotional alter call--you're halfway home. Now come the arduous mileage. This is where the race is won or lost!

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12 (NLT)