Setting the Pace:Living Life with an Eternal Perspective
I am running the Chicago Marathon on October 12th. This will be 26.2 miles of pure work. I have run one marathon before, but I am not a typical “marathon runner,” nor do I desire to become one. I plan to run this marathon and the Oklahoma City marathon next Spring, and then my marathon days are done. I will stick with shorter runs in the future. You might wonder why I am running this marathon. I can tell you, I am running with a specific purpose in mind.
As I mentioned in my first article, my seven year old son, Trey, had a long battle with cancer in 2012-2013. During that year, he spent over 280 days in the hospital. On September 1, 2013, the Lord called him home to heaven. Trey fought cancer hard though. He had the heart of a warrior and he never quit. In fact, it was because of his enduring spirit that he earned the nickname “Super Trey.”
As a parent, it was incredibly hard watching my son battle. I felt so helpless at times and every day, I desperately wanted to take his place. But, I couldn’t. It was hard to come to grips with this, but Trey’s “race” and my “race” were different. He had to endure intense cancer and now I have to endure living with intense emotional pain. What I want to do is endure the way Trey endured. I want to live, “run my race,” with just a fraction of the strength he displayed.
The marathon I am running in Chicago is in Trey’s honor. God used my son to absolutely change my life. He was and forever will be my hero, and I want to run for him. I am also running for a pediatric cancer research organization that raises funds to help find cures for such a horrible disease that affects so many children. I have worked and trained hard, and hope that I will start the race well and finish the race well. I do not know if Trey will be able to see me run or not, but I know this, as I run, I will see him. I will remember him. I will remember his smile, his laugh, his heart, his endurance, his strength, and so much more. When I want to quit, I’ll think of him and when I see that finish line, I will imagine him waiting on me. As you can see, I am running this race with a specific purpose in mind.
What is your “race”? Are you running it with a specific purpose? Maybe your race involves battling a disease, living with emotional pain of some sort, or another life struggle. Perhaps you are still searching for the “finish line”. Whatever your race is, run it and run it well. Ultimately, we are to run our race for the Lord and run with the strength He provides. Hebrews 12:1-2 says this, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us RUN with ENDURANCE the RACE that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”
Whatever your “race” is, run it for the Lord Jesus Christ! He is the One who loves you and gave His life for you. We should “run” for Him because He gave His all for us. Let us run well. See you next week!
pastorjfreeman 