Spring is crawling in, and the runners are moving from the indoor to the outdoor track. I have found that running is a fantastic illustration of the Christian life.  Think about it: once you get serious and start going for it, there’s some unwelcome pain.  As you get better the pain gives way, not because you feel it any less but because your body gets stronger and better able to endure it. If you are consistent in your running, you will steadily improve, but only if you eat the right food and in the right quantity. The very exertion which takes so much out of you combines with rest to make you better and better at running. Your bones harden, your lungs become more efficient, your heart gets healthier, and your muscles strengthen—all because of a little pain.  You feel magnificent! Discipline in exercise results in consistency and endurance, and that pattern of success can become a healthy compulsion, if not an outright addiction.

God knows about the benefits of running. He made us and blessed the endeavor, just as sure as He created it. The writer of Hebrews uses running a race as a picture for living the Christian life:

Hebrews 12:1–3 (NASB95)

¹Therefore, 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,

²fixing 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.

³For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

There is a lot here. Why don’t we unpack it over the next few weeks?

Here are some of the questions these three little verses answer:

• Where may we find true-to-life examples for encouragement in our walk?
• Why is the Christian life a race? Are we competing with others?
• How did we get involved in running a race? Do you remember signing up?
• How should we run?
• Where will we find strength for running?
• What should occupy our attention as we run?
• How does our run relate to Jesus’ example?
• What risk do we run if we fail to focus on our Savior?

If you’re like me, this study will leave you convinced that the dietary requirements to render you adequate for your race are not typical of popular Christian practice. The inevitable conclusion is a radical reorientation of our priorities. These priorities call for a follow-through in our expenditure of time. Maybe it’s time to stop drifting along in a fog of Christian disinterest and start running!