Running is a good teacher. As you journey down a country road, through a park, down a trail, or on the streets of town, you see many things that call out a spiritual application for daily life. Tuesday morning was no different.
Normally I run alone because my wife power walks. The motivation to keep up a good pace can go lagging at times because my body is begging me to go home while my mind tells me to keep going. I log my mileage and times via MapMyRun. For the past few weeks, my split pace times have been 11:20 to 12:23 min/mi. Now let me say that I run for distance not for time. But nevertheless, Tuesday morning my son-in-law ran with me. What was my split-time? 10:38! Are you kidding me? Why? Because I had someone running with me to keep me motivated and encouraged. As a matter of fact, I did the same for him.
Life is like running a race.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24).
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
In running this race, there is great counsel found in Ecclesiastes 4:9, Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. Think of all the “one another’s” found in Scripture. God did not intend for us go at it alone. As believers, we need one another.
- Greet one another (Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12, 1 Pet. 5:14)
- Comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18)
- Forgive one another (Col. 3:13)
- Build one another up (Rom. 15:2; 1 Thess. 5:11)
- Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
- Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)
- Encourage one another (Heb. 10:25)
- Meet with one another (Heb. 10:25)
- Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward one another (Eph. 4:32, Rom. 12:10)
- Receive (welcome) one another as Christ received us (Rom. 15:7)
- Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
- Minister one to another (1 Pet. 4:10)
- Show hospitality to one another (1 Pet. 4:9)
- Pray for one another (James 5:16)
Revive Our Hearts One Anothers In Scripture
As both of us ran Tuesday morning, we talked a bit, laughed some, panted together, kept up the pace, and did not criticize each other. We are even signed up to run together in a 5K this Friday evening. In this race, we will need each other just you need others in your race of life. Indeed, two are better than one . . . God said so, and you’ll appreciate the encouragement!
From A Pastor's Heart 