Running the Race to the End

Our determination to run the race and our perseverance to finish through the strain and effort it involves is inspired and sustained by the high prize that is promised to those who overcome. Just as the Lord Jesus Himself despised the shame and suffered the cross for the joy that was set before Him, we too are invigorated and motivated by the vision of the glory we have in Christ Jesus. When we completely surrender to the life of Christ in us and set our affections above, none of the things of the world appear precious or valuable as compared to the excellency of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Such a mind set is deeply rooted in the reality of our daily death to self and the world. We no longer count our lives dear to ourselves. When we are dead towards the world and alive for Christ, we can see this earthly life for what it really is - an opportunity to serve God with a new humanity restored through the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To be a child of God does not spare us from the duties, responsibilities and hardships that we have as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. God did not spare His own Son, and He who delights Himself in “bringing many sons to glory” will not save any difficulty, trial or temptation that is necessary for bringing to perfection His nature in us. Our natural desires, our rights, our preferences are not to interfere with the amazing work the Spirit of God does in molding and conforming us after God's image. We need to be willing to the same extent as our Lord Jesus was, to do the will of the Father, the Father’s way, and by the Father’s methods, no matter how this reality is translated into our lives. Sometimes it can be that we spend our life in humble and insignificant places, dealing with small and apparently unimportant things, where our faithfulness, compassion and patience are formed and tested. Sometimes we may experience rejection, lack, suffering, adversities and sorrows or any other trial God finds fit to help us grow to the full stature of Christ and to bring to completion the work He does in us and through us.

We need to set our eyes on the Captain and Finisher of our salvation, and have our hearts set in the heavenly places, while living here and now a life of obedience and submission to the will of God, in a humility of heart and spirit that is always willing and ready to be filled and led by the wisdom that comes from above. “For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4) Let us keep running the race with joy to the day we see our glorious Savior!