Last night, I ran my first ever half marathon with my wife here in Disney World. Just at the start of the race at 10 pm, it began to sprinkle. The sprinkles turned into full out rain drops, and puddles began to form. What began with smiles and happy running (I had my usual Jack Johnson playing in my headphones), began to get a little less, eh,  happy. The temperature dropped. I stepped in puddles multiple times, soaking my shoes and socks. Yet, I pushed on.

My wife, Teresa, called me as I was running. Though an experienced runner, she was feeling the pain from the poor conditions and was cramping up. She had started in a corral ahead of me so as she slowed down, I began to catch up. Finally, around mile 9, I caught up with her and motivated her to finish the run. We crossed the finish line holding hands. We both got finishing medals, being soaked from head to toe and exhausted after running close to 1:30 am. However, we finished!

My point is this: don’t quit running the race. You might have a goal in life, work, family, etc., but don’t stop. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “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.”

Remember who is really important in your life and run it together. Run with purity, endurance, and a focus on the eternal. Most of all, run this race with your eyes focused on Christ and His goodness, who ran ahead of you and is encouraging you e en today. Last, know that life is a marathon, not a sprint, so enjoy the run through life. Run hard, run fast, and run happy.

Pastor Fran