I stepped out into the motel parking lot, slowed down not only by luggage, but also fatigue. The time was 5:30 a.m.
As I unlocked our vehicle and began putting luggage in it, I heard the steps of someone running on the frontage road nearby. But the rhythmic sound of footsteps was accompanied by a shuffling sound, as if something was being drug. I turned and saw that the runner had a rope tied around his waist, connected to an inner tube. A few moments passed, and I finished packing the car. I heard the sound again. A second runner passed by, this one tugging a rope attached to the tire behind her.
As I headed back to the motel lobby to grab one more cup of coffee, a Bible verse popped into my head.
“Let us lay aside every weight that so easily besets us…let us run the race that is set before us…”
While surfing the Internet a few days later, I learned that runners preparing for a marathon will often add tire-pulling to their workout routine. Apparently tire pulling can improve a runner’s ability to accelerate, as well as increase one’s forward drive and stride length. The writer stated that “an effective tire-pulling workout consists of six 44-yard sprints with 90-second rest intervals between reps.”
Reading that made me feel kind of glad (OK—REALLY glad!) that I’m not a marathon runner.
Except, the Bible verse popped back into my head, and I was reminded that each of us who professes to follow the Lord Jesus Christ IS in a race—a spiritual race.
“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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, English Standard Version)
Unlike a typical foot race, finishing first spiritually is nowhere as crucial as finishing well. That means getting rid of anything that would keep us from walking closely with the Lord.
Scottish-born Pastor Alistair Begg says, “We should not run aimlessly or halfheartedly, as though we signed up just to get a T-shirt, but as runners who look to receive the “well done” from our Lord and Master.”
Like the Apostle Paul, may we also be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8, New King James Version)
Giving credit where credit is due:
https://livehealthy.chron.com/effective-running-hills-pulling-tires-increase-speed-9317.html
Note: I love to hear from my readers! You are welcome to email me at gracenotes2you@gmail.com or write me at P.O. Box 666; Humboldt, NE 68376.