Running provides so many analogies to our daily walk with Christ. Such was the case last weekend.
My son-in-law is my running partner, and he had signed up for a half marathon in Bristol, TN/VA, scheduled for last Saturday. I chose to run the second half.
Bristol was new race territory for us so at different times last Friday, we each drove the course in our own vehicles. I wish I hadn’t done it! What I discovered was a lot of ups and downs and long inclines that left me quite anxious. I even told my wife this was going to be my hardest one ever.
Andrew ran the half marathon, and I ran the half of a half! We made it. I am here to tell you that for my part, it was not even close to being as difficult as I had expected. Should have just picked up my t-shirt and bib number last Friday and gone home!
What’s the point? God knows what He is doing by keeping us in the dark about the future, about what will happen in the next five minutes, next two days, or in five years from now. We couldn’t handle it. We wouldn’t trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-7), walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), learn great lessons about our God and this life (Psalm 119:71), come to know the awesomeness of God’s Word (Psalm 34), enter into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10), experience the fantastic grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:8), and/or be prepared for that day when we see Jesus (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Can’t you just see it now? Oh the fretting over knowing that in four weeks, three hours, and twenty-seven minutes from now, you are going to have an accident or find out you have cancer, or that someone dear to you will die.
Therefore, it is best to leave the future to our omniscient, omnipresent, loving, sovereign God, and simply enjoy this moment. Run the race that He has for you today keeping your eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:1). His viewpoint is always better than ours. His race for us is planned, prepared, enabled, and has a glorious finish line!! (Philippians 1:6)
From A Pastor's Heart 