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09.05.2010 (740 Days Ago)
John Sallman's Blog
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Run with Endurance
Run with Endurance
A couple of weeks ago, I received the USAT quarterly magazine. Front and center on page 109 is a picture of several Tri4Him members that was in the regional section. It was a fabulous picture of us under the Tri4Him tent with the logo in nice huge letters and our motto "Run with endurance." Many of you may have read my last e-mail regarding my last race, where my focus was completely wrong. A few days after that race on a cold morning, I chose to go to a spin class. At the end of the class, I began meditating on the Tri4Him key verse, Hebrews 12: 1-3...
"therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with endurance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who suffered such opposition so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Before many of us race next weekend, I wanted to share my reflections that have encouraged me since that time. This verse gives us everything we need to gain our focus for training and for our races. On Sunday, we will be surrounded by many who are not believers, and wearing our uniforms will put us in the eyes of those who do not know Christ. We will be surrounded by "a great cloud of witnesses," so let us race in a way that will be salt and light for Christ. Let us race in a way that brings glory to God. How do we do that? How do we get our focus in the right place? I found that in our key verse.
Our goal is to run with endurance the race marked out for us. We will be surrounded by witnesses, so we need to throw off everything that hinders. What hinders us in our race for God? Our busy lives, stresses at work, home, family; any number of other places. Throw off our sin that entangles us and keeps us focused on the wrong things. It's so easy to say it, but how do we do it? We need to fix our eyes, our thoughts, our prayers, our focus on Jesus. Jesus endured beatings, taunting, the worst ridicule. Why? Not because he deserved it. He did it for the joy set before him. That joy is you and me, and even the great cloud of witnesses that do not yet know him, but that surround us.
Consider Him, think about Jesus, set your focus on him and His ultimate sacrifice for us. Reflect upon the beatings he endured, his hands and feet nailed to the cross, all so that we can have the freedom of eternal life with the Father in heaven. When your lungs burn in the pool, when your legs are on fire on the bike, when your lungs and legs are both searing on the run, put your focus on the last days of Christ. Enduring the 39 lashes not once, but twice. Remember what he endured; the torture, the taunting wearing a crown of thorns, and finally the cross - his hands and feet pierced and nailed to a tree because of His love for you. He did it because you are His joy, His love. Remember Him, focus on Him and race in such a way that all know that you are His. On race day, endure the pain and the struggles so that you can be a light for Him. Give back to Him a piece of His joy and love that He shares for you.
Why do I run?
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