The time is approaching (April 21st) when runners will line up in Hopkinton for the 2008 Boston Marathon. I can imagine the excitement in the air - the eager expectations of the runners who have trained for months to make it to the finish line in downtown Boston. I can see in my mind's eye the bright colors of the runners as they stretch and warm up for the grueling miles ahead. The task is clear before them. They are ready to run the race. If it is raining, it makes no difference. If it is cold or hot, it makes no difference. The course is set before them them, and the race will go on.

It is interesting that the Bible several times
compares the Christian life to a race. The apostle Paul says, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I my finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 9:24) Later, he returns to the theme of the race. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Runners for the marathon have a strict schedule of training. Much of it takes place in the cold, dark hours of winter. The runners in my family have put in many hours of training while most of us were warm and snug in our beds. But it was worth the price to them for the possibility of running the race.

As Christians we must also train to live as Christ has commanded us. We must study his word and seek his guidance. We must listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit as he directs our lives. We must be obedient to a lifestyle that prepares us for the spiritual race ahead. Then at then end of our lives we can join with Paul who says. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7,8) In these two verses Paul looks back over 30 years of labor as an apostle and compares his life to that of an athlete who has engaged successfully in a contest.

Happy runnning!