I ran a 5K the other day. It was for a good cause. Signed up thinking that it would be no big deal if I didn’t go through with it. I thought about asking someone else to run it together, but I didn’t want to set up something only to bail later if things came up disrupting plans.

People who know me are worried and asking if I trained for this. Well, I have been walking/jogging in our cul-de-sac where most of the neighbors keep tabs on each other in a good way, so before it’s totally dark after dinner, I’ve been “training.” I’m in mediocre shape and knowing that I could just walk the 5K took the pressure off. And at the starting line, I placed myself in the middle of the pack between the runners and the walkers. The serious runners took the leading positions at the starting line. In this middle of the pack region were the costumed and the matching outfit groups. Once the race began, I started out with a brisk jog trailing all the runners. The faster joggers passed us and in time, I slowed down to a brisk walk to catch my breath. And it was at this point that I noticed a petite, silver-haired woman in her late 60’s. She impressed me because she kept jogging even though it was at a slow pace. Note to self, at least keep up with her.

And so I did my thing which was to alternate between walking and running, slowing when I needed to catch my breath and speeding up to get through the shadeless portions. As such, I would pass my silver-haired pacer on my “runs,” and she would pass me as I slowed down. Back and forth we continued. And at the last 300 yards or so I caught a second wind and thought of challenging myself a bit and make a dash to the finish. Because we were getting close, people on the sidelines formed a cheering section urging us onward to the finish line. It was a good feeling being cheered. As I looked around, I couldn’t spot my “pacer.” Apparently, she wearied and fell behind. I was tempted to just run ahead as we had never met and I didn’t even know her name, but I realized she had served as my motivator the entire way and it would be much better if we finished together. I slowed my pace and finally saw her coming up. The finish line was now in view, I turned and said to her, “I have been following you the entire way,” and shockingly she turned to me and said to me, “I had been following you!” I often forget that I am no longer a youngster either and likewise stick out like a sore thumb in settings where youth is the norm.

And so in life, sometimes we are the motivators for others and other times we need to see somebody else running the race, keeping pace, never giving up, to encourage and motivate us to go on. Isn’t this the case for our common journey as believers in Christ. Others knowingly or unknowingly have served as our examples by their consistency and persistence. We, too, can faithfully run, even when we get weary, and stretch towards the finish knowing that there is a prize even greater than a medal waiting for us. And beyond the other racers, we are surrounded by a cheering throng urging us onward, telling us the finish line is in sight. Ultimately, we realize that it is not coincidental that we find ourselves running the race together in this same place and at this same time for mutual encouragement.

Do you feel that we are about to enter the final turn? Maybe you caught your second wind or maybe you feel that you have no strength left. Either way, is that the finish line in view? The Bible reminds us that when certain global events appear, we are very close to the finish line. Let’s do this together. The prize is Christ. The cups of cool water at the pit stops, that’s also Christ. The shade along the way, that’s also Christ. Your cushiony shoes, Christ. Your sweat-wicking shirt, Christ. There is nothing He left to our own devices. In a way, we just need to show up as a response to His call and say, “Lord, I am here. Even my willingness to show up You had something to do with that. I woke up today and am willing to turn things over to You. Help me live this day with You in view. Thank You for including me in this race.”

My finish time? 48:11. If I sprinted there at the end, I think I could have knocked off 15 seconds. But it didn’t seem right to run off without my “pacer.” It’s not a great finish time, but I’m thankful to finish and meet my personal goal of staying under an hour. I’m satisfied. The experience was rewarding in itself. Lots to think over and make parallels. I started this “race” decades ago running with many mentors and companions, men and women who live by faith in Christ and I have been helped by their example and assistance alone the way. When the Lord Jesus appears, this race of faith will have ended, for our faith will be changed to sight. Many have gone before us and ran faithfully. They have joined the cheering section urging us on for the finish line is in view. It’s not too late to tighten the loose shoelaces and pick up the pace. Let’s grab a cup of cold water at this last pit stop. Others are waiting for us. We can finish together. The Apostle Paul said at the end of his life that he had fought the good fight, he finished the course, and he kept the faith. Do we also love and long for the Lord’s appearing like Paul? Jesus is coming soon. Just as the Father ran to embrace us when Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to the Father, we can run to meet Jesus as He promised to return for us. For love. Let’s go!

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3