Running…

Running…

Nearing the finish line…

Focused always on the finish line…

Running…

Running past people cheering…

Running past people waving posters with the runners’ names.

Running past his wife…

Past his daughter cheering him on…

The race his sole focus.

The finish line his one goal.

All his attention focused there…

Running on.

Is that the way we live our lives?

Running toward our goals…

Barely noticing the people we pass.

People in whom God lives…

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.  1 John 4:15

Not thinking that running past the people in whom God lives…

Is running past God Himself…

A futile task…

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.  Psalm 139:7-10

Not thinking that running past God …

Means running past the strength God waits to give us…

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

The strength to love others…

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34 

The strength to love God himself…

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  Mark 12:30

The strength to run the race God would have us run…

So that one day we can say with Paul…

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7 

And hear the words for which our hearts long…

…‘Well done, good and faithful servant! … Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:23