Run with Patience

In 2007 I ran my first and second marathon.

With the exception of the Olympic runners who average under a 5 minute mile pace, this race is not a sprint.

Those who are running at a walking pace by the end of 26.2 miles, but still cross the finish line, couldn't be happier, even if they are too tired to smile.

It was during the grueling final 10 miles of my first marathon that I got some insight to this strange statement found in Hebrews 12:1, to "run...with patience."

At first I was put off that out of the thousands running, there were some women, elderly, and even handicapped participants that were outpacing me. Although I am athletic and had trained well to run at a good pace, theirs was faster!

After 18 miles of running at a pace I didn't prepare for, each painful step was pointing out to me that I needed to run "my race" or risk not finishing at all. I ended up having to slow to a CRAWLING pace and had a long talk with GOD as more women, elderly, and handicapped people passed me with ease.

He said to me (speaking of my life and not the marathon) "If you don't run YOUR race, you won't FINISH your race."

By my second marathon, I was able to enjoy the (still) painfully challenging experience, primarily because I wasn't racing at all. I was cheering everyone else on, and this time I was running for charity.

When I finished, I was a winner because I had run my race.

The Greatness of Service

Who doesn't want to be great?

There is personal fulfillment in knowing that you are great at something. You can be sitting in a crowded room not standing out, but just feel good knowing that if they heard you on the drums you would blow them away. If they saw one of your drawings, or heard you sing, or saw you writing software code, they would see you different.

Whether its being a great parent, student, listener, or dancer, we want to know that there is something we do very well. For the competitive of us, we even want to experience being the absolute best. There is a quiet darkness that looms if we suspect there is nothing that we excel in. Depression and low self esteem are waiting to catch anyone who has trouble identifying their unique greatness or at least the potential for it.

Of course GOD has given us each talents that some are able to find more readily than others, but to be sure, we all have them. So, given this universal need in mankind to want to be great I find it striking that Jesus says "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

No matter what you're great at, to be the greatest, we must find a way to serve in a significant way.

What an example Jesus laid out for us!

Why do you Praise?

How do you respond when GOD does not do what you thought He would do?

Do you become upset or frustrated? Depressed or angry? Disillusioned or cynical?

Do you decided to stop trusting GOD for anything that matters?

Do you kill Him?

In Mark 11, the people saw Jesus entering Jerusalem and laid down palm branches as they cried "Hosanna!" which is a Hebrew expression meaning "Save." They thought He was coming to reestablish the Kingdom of David (which He was) and were eagerly looking forward to Him overthrowing the Roman government so they could regain their position of national pride and military might, like in King David's day.

When it became clear that this was NOT on Jesus' agenda (His kingdom was spiritual), their shattered hopes turned to an illogical rage and they demanded that Barabas the murderer go free and Jesus be crucified.

I want to praise GOD because He is GOD, not because of what I'm hoping He will do for me. Interestingly, King David was made a king by GOD because his praise was sincere.

So...why do you praise?