I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT)
The story was told in Runners World magazine (8/91) of a woman named Beth Anne DeCiantis. You may have heard it but I am going to retell it here because it is so inspiring.
Beth was running to qualify for the Olympics in the marathon event. In order to qualify, a runner had to run the 26.2 miles in two hours and forty-five minutes. She started off well and ran without a problem until she hit mile 23. She had two minutes left to qualify as she headed into the last push. Her foot came down unevenly and she stumbled and fell. She knelt there dazed. She was down for 20 precious seconds. The bystanders yelled encouragement. She got up and began to walk. She had less than a minute left. She made it to five yards, ten seconds remaining and she fell again. The crowd yelled for her to get up! As the final seconds ticked away, it did not seem like she was going to make it. She started to crawl. Just as time was running out, she stretched and reached across the finish line on her hands and knees. She finished.
What inspires you? What causes you to keep running the race? Is it Jesus?
In 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul says that the love of Christ’s love compels us. Not our love for him but his love for us. Paul’s life seems to always be a grueling race. He endured so much. Yes he was driven by one thing, Jesus love for him and sharing that with others.
Is that what motivates you today? Is that what inspires you? What drives you to keep going when the going gets tough? Jesus loves you. I hope that is what keeps you going.