You would think that running for a long time meant you had learned how to overcome most of the obstacles in this Race. But sometimes, in a moment of eye-opening, I look at the mental landscape I have been growing used to and realize I am still toting the same baggage I’ve had for years. Different shapes and labels according to the various stages of life, but basically the same issues, same ugly tendencies and negative thinking patterns. And I wonder if I am really growing up at all through the years, wonder if running ever does get any easier, or if the terrain just changes. Sometimes it is hard to see the change you are longing for, the transformation God says He is working in us as we run.

Sometimes the Race seems very long, and it’s easy to lose sight of the purpose in all of this. There are whole days-on-end that I wish I could just lay down and rest for a bit, not feel life’s weight quite so heavily. It gets downright discouraging some days. No wonder the author of Hebrews gave us a How To guide: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) I am not the first one to run here, by any means, and many have traversed a path much more difficult than mine. They persevered and they ran the whole way Home– proof that it can indeed be done by mere mortals. More importantly, I am not alone in the Race even now. The Champion who has already won the race is by my side helping me; I couldn’t ask for a better personal trainer. To run well, I’ve got to face up to this baggage, these weaknesses, the constant lies and attacks of the Enemy. I need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, and not give up, trusting “that He who began a good work in [me] will bring it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6) I must fasten my eyes on the Champion Runner ahead of me and follow hard along this narrow way, till one day I’ll turn a corner and find the finish line waiting, and Him there smiling. His approval is something to look forward to, and it will all be worth it.

So we will keep running, and remind each other how to run well, where we are heading, and the Truth of why it all matters.

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“Never have I lived with anything as bewildering my own soul.” (Ann VosKamp)

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“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” (Hebrews 12:12-13)