March 5 - Run Your Race

Run Your Race

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

1 Timothy 4:7,8

The year was 1980.   Bill Brodherst, who hadn’t run in any race since his high school days, decided to begin training for a marathon known as the Pepsi Challenge 10K in Omaha, Nebraska.  Sending in his application, he wasn’t sure they would accept him as a participant, but soon the approval came back and he was a designated part of the running pack.

His major reason for wanting to be in this race was that Bill Rodgers, a nationally known runner was also competing in the challenge and Brodherst wanted to be able to tell others that he had run in a race with the great Bill Rodgers.

The reason that Brodherst had not run in races since his high school days was that he had been cruelly struck down in the prime of his life with an aneurysm that caused doctors to question if he would ever walk, let alone run.  But with determination that only a few may ever understand, Mr. Brodherst continually took on the impossible and met the challenge.  Eventually he did learn to walk…but always with a need to drag one foot behind him as he progressed.  His running was not much different.  One foot ahead, drag the other up…one foot ahead, drag the other up.

At the beginning of the race Brodherst joined the other runners and as the gun went off, the hundreds of competitors trotted off and Bill slowly followed.  For a while he could still see them in the distance, and then the crowds cheered him on for a while.  Eventually, he heard the sounds of their feet fade as they moved further toward the finish line. 

Then the crowds gradually disappeared, and Bill Brodherst ran on alone towards the halfway point.  When he reached that place, he found that everyone had left, assuming there were no other runners.  But Brodherst doggedly half ran, half dragged himself to the marker and placed his hands on it so that there would be no question that he had reached that destination.

Turning and making his way back toward the final marker, he found that he was the forgotten man. The police stayed with him for a while but then they had to leave to return to their duties.  Children came out to taunt and imitate him as he painfully made his way on.  The markers that had laid out the course had been taken down; however Brodherst trudged on to the goal.

Finally, it was in sight…although the crowds had disappeared and all that was left was the line that had been painted on the street.  Bill Brodherst struggled on with no one to watch his victory over his personal obstacles and he crossed the line several hours after he had begun the race.

Then out of the alley came the sound of applause and cheering, and out came several participants of the race…led by Bill Rodgers- who had run the race.  Rushing forward, they took Brodherst up on their shoulders and carried him for a distance and then set him down.  Then Bill Rodgers took the medal that he had won from around his own neck, and placed it on Bill Brodherst saying, “You’re the winner of this race.”

Our time on earth brings many obstacles, challenges, and trials.  However, as we stay determined in our race, we will be rewarded.   Wherever you find yourself in the race, it’s important to remember:

1)   You have been invited to run with purpose:   “Holding forth the word of

      life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain,

      neither labored in vain.” Philippians 2:16

2)     You are surrounded by unseen witnesses cheering you on: “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these

      veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Start

      running—and never quit.” Hebrews 12:1

3)     You are called to run “your” race faithfully:  “You’ve all been to the

      stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to

      win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes

      and fades. You’re after one that is gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

4)     You will receive honor and a crown from the Savior:  “Well done, thou

       good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21

No matter what you face today, this week, or this month, keep running your race.  As we keep focused on heaven, it will all be worth it in the end.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)   On what occasions are you most tempted to quit your race?

2)   Name a way that God uses to encourage you to keep going.

Consider reading the Word today:

 

Copyright 2014 - Terry Risser