The Ultra-Marathon

Photo image courtesy Pixabay

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.” 
-- Philippians 3:14 (NASB)

Have you ever heard of ultra-marathons? These runners don’t stop with a measly 26 mile standard marathon. They travel farther, 50 or even up to 100 miles in 24 hours. Some run 3,100 kilometers, stretched out over several days. One might be tempted to question their sanity, but an ultra-marathoner, Vanessa Runs, said this: 

“If it’s a nod from society you’re looking for, run a marathon. But if it’s a life-changing experience of personal strength and perseverance that you want, run an ultra-marathon.” 

The similarity to the walk of a Christian struck me. If a Christian seeks approval from society, they run a shorter race. If a follower of Jesus wants to win the crown of life, they have to go all the way and run an ultra-marathon of faith and perseverance. No matter the length of your lifespan, the Christian race is lifelong.

In the verse above, for “press on” Paul uses the Greek word diokos. It can mean to pursue or run swiftly with the intent to harm, but also the opposite: to pursue eagerly, to endeavor in earnest to acquire a goal. The prize? A crown of life, Paul says in his letter to Timothy.

“. . . in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8, NASB)

Ultra-marathons are extreme. Only a small number of humans can run them. This kind of race requires more than physical training and stamina. Runners have to have mental strength and determination as well. They don’t always run on a smooth flat surface. They run over mountains on rocky paths. Or they race up to the top of Pike’s Peak. (We drove it. My knees cringe at the thought of climbing that mountain on foot.) 

Ultra-marathoners run until they are beyond exhausted. They have to steel their determination to suffer through pain and push past the temptation to quit to reach their goal of winning or just finishing. Christians do too, but our race is for a crown of righteousness. We suffer through all sorts of “trials and tribulations,” including being slaughtered, as many African brothers and sisters in Christ face daily as of late. 

They have finished their ultra-marathons, but we may have miles to go yet.

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12, NASB)

Question for Reflection:

Think about areas you need to persevere in and search for verses on perseverance. Prayer? Worship? Bible study? Generosity? Missions?