Run with Endurance!, November 4
By Karen Wonders
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 ESV).
I’m an Olympics junkie. My whole family is, really…. My hubby was lucky enough to work for the Olympic Games in both 2000 and 2002, so it’s in our blood, I suppose. Therefore, as you can imagine, every two years we find ourselves watching people race down hills, and flip, twist, and turn their way to Olympic glory. I cheer them on as if it were one of my own kids out there!
I am always amazed by the amount of dedication these athletes have for their sport. The hours they spend each day training. The sacrifices they must endure. Every year we hear stories about how some athletes had to move away from their families to train. One athlete fell on hard financial times, so he went door-to-door trying to raise money to continue his training. I even heard about a pairs skating couple who has postponed their wedding for over two years so they could focus on the Olympics!
All these stories get me thinking. What am I dedicated to? What would I be willing to sacrifice time, money, and comfort for? As a follower of Christ, I would, of course, say that He is! But … do my actions match my heart? If “being a Christian” was an Olympic sport, would the time I spend with Jesus each day be enough to get me to the medal stand?
Of course, there is grace … but watching the Olympics convicts me about the time I am giving to God. If I’m being honest, I would admit that sometimes I give Him my leftovers. Sometimes I’m quick to hit snooze, rather than get up and do my morning quiet time. Sometimes I worry and fret, rather than pray. Sometimes I rely on my own strength to get through each day, and then wonder why I often feel overwhelmed. I spend a quick five minutes in prayer, and then go about my busy day. Five minutes of training each day would never get someone to the medal stand. Why do I think it’s enough to help me grow and mature in my faith?
God has set before us a race. We know it will involve hardship, and sometimes that hardship may include cancer. To run our race will require effort and commitment. Along the way, we may have to lay aside things that hinder us. To complete this race, we must fix our eyes on Jesus. He is our focus, our inspiration, our example. Even if we haven’t been running our best race lately, there still is time to turn things around. After all, the Olympics are all about finishing strong!
Pray: Father God, I want You to be the most important thing in my life. Forgive me for all those times I half-heartedly followed You. Give me a willingness to sacrifice for You—no matter what the cost may be. I don’t want to just go through the motions. When I look back on my life, I want to say with confidence that I gave my all—that You were my focus and my inspiration, and that I lived my life to bring glory to Your name! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: What is hindering your walk with God? What will you do about it today?
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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