I remember this day well.
Our oldest daughter was competing in her first Ironman 70.3. She had trained for months – swimming, biking and running. Finally, the day had arrived and the excitement and adrenaline were high.
We were there as everyone gathered for the singing of the National Anthem. The participants were called in the starting groups. We watched her jump into the water for the 2-mile swim. When she came out, we were cheering as she rounded the bend into the bike area.
We cheered as she got her bike shoes on and rode away into the morning fog. We took the car to a place that we knew we would be able to see her topping a steep hill and cheered again as her bike came into view and she rode on. A little ways further we passed her again and could tell she was struggling. We all shouted words of encouragement and I remember her dad saying, “Don’t quit, you’ve got this”.
We drove on, back to a good place on the running course. Prayers on our lips for her success, signs waving, cheers and clapping she passed us as she ran. There were many runners, we cheered for them all as they went by, but she was our focus.
We were elated when we saw her enter the final lane to the finish line. Her husband was waiting for her, she fell into his arms, exhausted. She had done it. She finished the race!
There have been times when the memories of that day have come back to encourage me.
“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete…3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV
There will be times when we get discouraged, times when we hurt and don’t think we can go any farther. It’s then, if we listen we can hear the cheering of the saints who have gone before us. It’s then we experience the strength of Christ who dwells within us and we keep moving forward.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. 8 Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God.” II Timothy 4:7-8a ERV
The Apostle Paul knew what it was to run this race for Christ. He gave it all he had, he changed the world with the message of Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace.
We each have been given a race to run. We may not make a worldwide impact but we can change the world around us with the love of God.
Don’t give up, don’t quit, you’ve got this! Look to Jesus and listen to the cheering crowd. Can you see the finish line? There we will hear the Father’s voice:
“Well done, good and faithful servant”.