The race set before us

The apostle John wrote that JESUS came to his people, but in general, they did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He made them the children of GOD. What a wonderful concept- to have a living relationship with the Creator of Heaven and Earth that can never pass away!

The writer of the book of Hebrews compares this present life to something like being in the Olympic games. Each entrant has a time to do his part, maybe running, skiing, swimming, or whatever his field is. While He’s running, his team-mates cheer for him from the sidelines, urging him to keep going, no matter what.

There are some entrants that are disqualified because they don’t play by the rules, and they are put out of the games, but for all who submit to the right standards, there is honor and satisfaction for the effort, even for those who don’t finish in first place.

After each one completes his part of the team’s event, he joins the others on the sidelines to cheer for the ones yet to run. If a runner falls, they urge him to get up and keep going; if a gymnast stumbles, they encourage him to go on and complete his routine, and when all the games are over, and the awards have been given out, there follows celebrations for all who took part, and there’s a great satisfaction from just being in the events, all the pain, the weariness, the hours of practice, are forgotten in the gladness that comes from the accomplishment.

“Tom” ran his part in the games. Like all of us, he made errors, he fell down sometimes, and there were cuts and bruises to prove it. I’m sure there were times when he felt like giving up, but the ones who had run before kept yelling, “Get up, Tom!’, you’ll make it!”

Now Tom’s there yelling for all of us, “Go, go, go!” The LORD Himself, who laid out the course is there at every step to encourage, to bless, and to point out the direction we need.

When it’s all over the victory celebration will come. (read Isaiah 25: 6-9)

Right now, there’s sorrow, but GOD says He will wipe away the tears At this time, we want to urge all of you to let the Lord be your hope. And I’m sure that Tom would agree with that!