Running Well

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

We’ve heard this verse recited wistfully by aged saints as they look forward to their reward or perhaps delivered before a funerary congregation. We have seen it engraved upon tombstones and placards. It seems to me this verse is only ever thought of in the context of the end of the Christian’s life; how often do we think of it in the context of how we are living life now? The fight is still being fought; we are still in the race.

Recently I participated in a 5k run. The entire time I ran it I had no real idea how close I was to the finish line, and so I kept my pace measured, holding myself back. It wasn’t until I rounded a bend and saw the finish before me that all trepidation left me. I found another gear and surprised myself at how I was able to absolutely book it to the finish line. I had been holding back the entire time without realizing, and as I crossed I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that I could have dug deeper, tried harder, finished sooner.

What are we keeping in reserve? Why should we, who love the Lord, hold anything back when we run the race with every advantage? God lays out the track. He guides and guards and encourages us as we make our way. He knows each bend and curve and offshoot. He has placed signposts and demarcations. He has given us companions with whom we may run alongside. He has given us the very wherewithal to run. Should we ever falter or fail, it is He who restores and strengthens and forgives.

Paul charged Timothy thus as he perceived the ending of his own race: “Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching…be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:2-5) That is running! That is fighting the good fight! Don’t resign yourself to merely going along to get along. Don’t fall into the trap of mistaking lack of confidence (aka doubt) for prudent reserve. Let your feet fly with confidence, shod with the readiness given by the gospel of peace!

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25


Scripture cited: 2 Timothy 4:2-7, Jude 1:24-25