Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - What Makes the Marathon Worth It - #8140

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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I spent a few vigorous minutes on my treadmill. I think I’m ready to be in a Bowflex commercial. Then, I watch something like those women running the marathon at the Beijing Olympics and I need a lot more time on the treadmill, I think. But I can almost feel the pain of those marathoners as you saw them pushing to finish those last grueling miles.

Now a thirty-eight-year-old runner from Romania had the lead. If she’d won, she’d be the oldest woman ever to win the gold in the marathon. Now I had to root for her. Well, she was beat, but she picked up the pace as she approached the Olympic stadium. She burst into that stadium and all those spectators burst into applause. She crossed the finish line, even managed to make a victory lap. It was exhilarating.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and it actually made me think of the race I’m trying to run, which is not for Olympic gold, but for something better. These six words: “Well done, good and faithful servant,” (Matthew 25:21 ) spoken by Jesus at the finish line of my life. Some of Paul’s last words: “I have finished the race; now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 ). I want to see Jesus welcoming me at the finish line of a life that matters. I want Jesus to be proud of me; that’s the outcome my heart yearns for more than anything. Now, I’ve run for lesser trophies; the approval of people, having people know my name, but it is so hollow and it is so wrong. If I get a medal, let it be from Jesus no matter how grueling the race is.

If you’ve been encouraged by our visits, there’s more encouragement at our website. I hope you’ll visit us there. It’s ALifeThatMatters.org because God put you here to live a life that matters.

Bible References (NIV): Matthew 25:21 ; 2 Timothy 4:7-8