Running for Christ

We hear about the marathons for leukemia, breast cancer, or autism on the news or radio. What we never hear about is the marathon for Christ. Training for a marathon takes months of work. You must build up your endurance to the point that you can finish the race. “But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22b). The marathon for Christ lasts a lifetime and encompasses every area of our lives. It includes our spiritual health, physical health, how we talk, what we watch, what we read, how we dress, and so much more. I’ve heard of a quote that I think applies really well here: “If they can’t tell you’re a Christian, you’re not doing it right” (Clyde McCall).

Here in the United States we have a lot of freedoms, including the freedom to be different. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Each of us begins as babes in Christ – and then we grow. And we should continue to grow throughout our lives. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).

Think about the words of this song – “None of Self and All of Thee,” arranged by Theodore Monod and James McGranahan – and what they mean.

Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
All of self, and none of Thee,
All of self, and none of Thee,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”

Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on th’ accursed tree,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Some of self, and some of Thee,
Some of self, and some of Thee,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”

Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Less of self, and more or Thee,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”

Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
None of self, and all of Thee,
None of self, and all of Thee,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”

These words characterize the stages of the marathon for Christ. Each of us starts out taking baby steps, but someday we must run the marathon ourselves and rely on our own faith in God, and not our parents’ or guardians’. When we reach this point in our lives, we are living for Christ and giving our all!

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). “After Christ rose into Heaven, many of the Christians of the time were killed for their beliefs, even Christ. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). It took brave men and women to stand up and teach and study God’s word. Today, sadly, even though we are persecuted less severely for our faith in God, we also stand up for Him less. Let’s think less of ourselves and our will, and more of His perfect will.

By Megan Skinner

Comments

  1. It’s amazing

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