Some Thoughts About the Race

The whole idea of running in a race as a metaphor for the Christian life is something I have been examining. Running is something I do only as an expedient, so the main part of the metaphor I like is the idea of being chosen to be on a running team to begin with.

Another aspect of running is the training. I recall a nephew who put weights on his ankles when he was training for track. He took them off when he was actually in the race. They would have slowed him down considerably. I remember Paul saying we need to "put aside every weight" so we can run. Those weights he referred to were habitual sins that trip us up and hinder us from doing well in the life race.

I also remember the crowd Paul talked about. That "great cloud of witnesses." I imagine those who have gone before us looking down, yelling heart felt shouts of encouragement, unheard by us, but nevertheless urging us to keep on, even when we are tired of running.

In Paul's letter to the Hebrews, he does not accentuate the idea of a competition in racing, but rather an individual's effort to persevere and "run with patience the race that is set before us."
The idea of a crown at the end is intriguing. King Jesus will be there to see us finish and we will cast our crowns before Him out of love. See you at the finish line! Doma