However, I like to use a different analogy for life. I look at
life like a race--not a sprint race, but more like a marathon. You see, life
shouldn't be spent waiting around for all the sand to run out of the hourglass.
God has given each of us a race to run, a marathon to complete. Like an actual
race, the runners start out strong. Maybe they cruise through the first few
miles, but as they get to the middle of the race and push towards the end, more
and more runners just drop out. It just gets too rough. Yet, the few that
remain are so focused on the goal line that they don't worry about the pain
they're experiencing in the present. They just know that there is a goal out
there to push for that will make it worth it all. The good runners (I'm not
one, so I'm only writing from what I've heard from others) learn to ignore the
pain...even to embrace the pain. As the old adage is-no pain, no gain!
You might be surprised to know that this analogy of life is a very
old one. In fact, its origins go back to the Bible. Paul, in his first letter
to the Corinthian church, compares life to a race. He makes this statement:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you
may win. Everyone
who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They
then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I
box in such a way, as not beating the air; but
I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have
preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (I Cor. 9:24-27)
The analogy of life as a race works since the runner has to
discipline his or her body to get to the goal line. A runner who doesn't
exercise self-control might as well not even try to run! Paul also tells us
here that there is a prize at the end of the race. Life is not some meaningless
exercise. There is a goal in mind that makes it worth everything. On another occasion, Paul made this
statement:
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold
of (the prize) yet; but one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and reaching forward to
what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13,
14)
To Paul, the past was the past. He was more concerned with getting
to the goal, a prize he calls the “upward call” of God. The prize is getting to
“go up” to be with God. Yes, we get to heaven because of the grace of God. But
the Bible also clearly teaches that only those who press through and are
faithful to the end are those who get “the crown of life.” Now, to be honest, I
don't really understand all there is to know about this prize. You can read in
Revelations 2 and 3 about the various prizes that are available to those who
overcome and make it through this life as faithful witnesses to Christ, yet I
don't profess to really understand what they are. I just know that they are
there, and that they don't come automatically. I do know that I can agree with
Paul that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard...the things that God has prepared
for those who love Him.” (I Cor. 2:9 NKJV) In another place, he says the
prize will be "far beyond all comparison." Whatever it is,
it'll be awesome!
There's another “life analogy” that I've heard that I really like,
though at first glance it seems rather depressing. That is of “the dash.” The
kind of dash I'm thinking about is the dash that is on a tombstone. You know,
the little “-” between the day of your death and the day of your death. Mine so
far is “March 12, 1964 - ?” You see, we all are living in that dash. I don't
know when the last date gets filled in, but until that day, I want to “live in
the dash.” Scripture also describes life as “but a vapor.” Wow! That's
encouraging! However, when you think about it, it's really true. I don't feel
like it's been very long at all since I was a teenager. And even if I live
another thirty or even forty years, that time will pass so quickly. But what am
I doing to “live in the dash?” Am I making the most of every opportunity? God
put us here to live for Him and to love others. Am I doing that? Are you doing
that? I don't know how much longer I'll have here. It may be many years. It may
be a few. Whatever my lot, I want what I have left in this life to be
productive. I want it to count for something.
I hope you do too.
One more scripture related to “the race” is relevant here:
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 let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him
he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Jesus ran the race first, and He ran the race best. He is
our example. What He endured is far worse than anything you or I will
ever endure, yet He didn't falter or faint, but fixed His eyes on the prize.
Since He completed His race and is up ahead at the finish line, I can
look to Him as he waits for me and receive great encouragement.
As the runner nears the finish line, it doesn't become a time for
despair. Rather, it is a time of excitement as the race is nearly done and the
prize is near. For me, seeing Jesus is that prize. Hearing the words “Well
done, good and faithful servant” will make all pain, all the hurt, all the
sorrows of this life, seem as nothing.
Here are links to a few more of my posts:
What Is Marriage?
Reflections On Thirty Years Of Marriage
September 15, 1963
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