A few years ago, I was running a half marathon. It was in May, and it was a particularly rough one because it was not only a hilly course, but the weather was very warm and muggy. In other words – not ideal conditions for running 13.1 miles (if there is such a thing…).
I got about to mile nine or so, and I was struggling – really struggling – and I knew we had a couple big hills remaining not to mention 4 more miles. All of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye, I see this guy run up beside me wearing a bright yellow shirt, and then he passed me. I didn’t think too much of it until he got far enough ahead where I could read the back of his shirt, which went like this:
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
That was like a shot in the arm. Those words inspired me to give it my all for four more miles, and to not stop, to keep going because the finish was coming up. Although he passed me, I kept close enough to him where I could always read the back of his shirt, repeating the verse to myself, over and over. Soon enough, I overcame the hills and the heat and the distance to finish the race.
This was one of my tougher races that I ran because of the conditions, but the lesson resonates with me to this day – and its one I thought of as soon as I read the first reading for today from Isaiah.
I thought of this because running is such a huge metaphor for life. Every part of our life, especially our spiritual life. So much so that it is referenced in Scripture multiple times. I thought of this because while something like running comes and goes, and we start and finish races and encounter obstacles and challenges along the way, life is the same way.
We are constantly starting something new and finishing something – everyday. We are constantly encountering peaks and valleys – everyday. And just as in running, if we set our mind, our focus on Christ and His Word, His Truth, He will guide us and help us through it all.
Gosh, it seems so simple. It is simple. Every time I write about this, and reflect really about any teaching from Jesus, I think to myself – this is so simple. If only life were really just like running an amateur race in suburban America where the worst that could happen if I stopped is that I would hitch a ride to the finish on the bus that follows the riders.
But life is not exactly this way. It is tougher. And it is better. But the truth is the same. Jesus encounters us in exactly the way we need Him. That day, in that race, I needed His word on the back of some guy I didn’t know, just to give me enough motivation to get to the finish.
But on other days, I encounter Him through the everyday people in my life. The discussion with a co-worker over lunch. The biblical message I hear during a meeting at work. The grace and peace I see and feel when a special person in my life realizes her passion and purpose, and all the pieces seem to fall into place. When my son gives the change from his purchase and drops it in the Salvation Army bucket outside the store we were just in. An old friend, dropping by to say hello and catch up as I’m sitting by myself after church.
All of these things happened within the last week. Little things that happened in passing, without me expecting it, but little things that lighten the burden, that give me hope and brighten my day here in the dark days of December. But these little things happen every day. Little things that when I reflect back, I see that God was there, helping me to see Him, and rest in Him, so I do not grow weary.
Little things that make me strive to want to be His strength to someone else. Little things that lighten the load, but make a huge difference. So huge in meaning and purpose, but yet so simple.
