I stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowd. Our eyes are all fixed on the same spot…the finish line for a half-marathon. We each watch for the ones we love. As runners come in, cheers erupt from different sections around me. Family. Friends. We’re here to offer support.
Every once in awhile, someone will round the final corner and pick up the pace. The announcer yells, “We have a sprinter!” And in those moments, the entire group of us cheer as one. Because we know what a difficult thing this is…to finish strong.
As I watch this unfold, I think about heaven. And I imagine what it might be like when we enter there. None of us really know. But however it may turn out, I hope I arrive as a sprinter.
Can you just imagine for a moment what that would be like? You stay strong. You never give up the fight. You serve well until the day you’re done. And you cross that finish line with Jesus announcing, “We have a sprinter!” And the angels and the ones we love and the great cloud of witnesses explode with applause.
Yes, let’s run our race that way, friends. We all can do so not in our own power but because of the One who lives within us. If you’re feeling weary today, it’s okay. Your only job is not to quit. You’re stronger than you know right now. You can do this because of Jesus.
Go, girl, go.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” {Hebrews 12:1-2}
It won’t be long for any of us before we round that final bend and cross the finish line. And then we’ll celebrate forever the One who was with us and for us every step of the way.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
