Run, Christian, run. Finish the race.

Not
that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made
perfect,but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took
hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]


"Citius, altius, fortius" is a Latin phrase meaning, "swifter, higher, stronger." It is the motto of the Olympic games and does well to embody what our calling in Christ pursues. Christ has already taken care of saving us for a Christian life and setting us apart for an eternal life in heaven. He's placed us on the path of righteousness, but still lets us run. Swifter we flee from temptation. Higher we stretch ourselves to practice Christ-like love. Stronger we stand in the midst of suffering in this world.

A shining example of this kind of fortitude was revealed in the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico.

A Tanzanian marathon runner named Akhwari was the last man to finish the marathon race.
He arrived in the stadium staggering and limping, and finished his race long after the winner did.
This, of course, prompted all kinds of post-race questions as to why he continued when he had no chance of winning.

He simply replied, "My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish the race."

A Christian who knew why God saved him and set him apart, the apostle Paul also spoke in similar terms,
"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me . . . I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.],[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]).
Throughthe sacrifice of his Son, God set the prize of heaven before us. Now in our life of faith in Jesus we press on to take full possession of that for which God has taken hold of us.

Run, Christian, run. Finish the race.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me finish the race. Guide my feet to follow the way that you speak in your Word.
Extend my arms to reach others in love. Wipe my tears of sorrow so that I can better see the path.
Lead me on, Lord. Lead me on. Amen.