Just keep jogging

The final blog based on the topic of jogging.

As you will know from these blogs, I have not only taken up jogging, aged over 65 but can now jog for 30 minutes without stopping. The main thing I have learned is that to succeed you need to master your breathing and pace. Speed is not important – finishing is the goal.

How similar this is to the Christian life. We are exhorted to run our race to win the prize which is the crown of life given to us when Jesus rewards his faithful servants. We are not in a race against one another – we are in a race with ourselves – to persevere and finish. My prayer has always been that I want to finish strong, not fast - strong. I don’t want to crawl over the line but jog over with my head held high knowing that like Paul, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

So many give up. I can think of all those whom I knew, who were there with me in church and who have now turned away. I also remember all those who were running well and whilst they are still there they are no longer running with passion. They’ve given up their calling and ministry through hurt, disillusionment and discouragement.

There is so much that can hurt or disappoint us but our goal is to keep going and do the best we can. Like Jesus, Paul endured terrible hardships for the Gospel yet he finished because he had his prize in mind.

So as the writer to the Hebrews says ‘… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’. He goes on to say Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before his, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus endured the cross for us – because of the joy of seeing millions redeemed and coming into relationship with our heavenly Father. There are Christians around the world facing terrible circumstances for their faith. So next time that no one turns up or we are let down – again - let’s not give up or give in but fix our eyes on the prize and keep jogging to the finish.