I have been hit by a car. No, really. I was - literally. That was many years ago at boarding school in Venezuela. We were working through the Presidential physical fitness program, and I was running the 500-yard dash along the edge of a boulevard. I vaguely remember seeing the finish line ahead (the coach standing with his clip board and stopwatch) and spending the balance of my energy to sprint ahead and “plow through” that imaginary tape. In my exhaustion I do not remember finishing the race, but when I did (I am told), instead of running off to the right onto the safety of the sidewalk as instructed, I veered left into oncoming traffic. The 1970 blue Opel left a 20-foot skid mark on the boulevard before coming in contact with my spent mortal frame. One night in the hospital, and see? – I turned out okay. I guess I had lost my mind.
The life of the believer can be very much like a marathon. We are called to run with endurance the race that is set before us. The difficulties, the pain, the demand for endurance can distract us out of our minds by searching for relief. That is why Peter instructs, The end of all things is at hand, therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded (1 Peter 4:7). Focusing on Christ – our approaching goal – keeps the big picture of reality in view which stimulates surrendered trust and encourages God’s people in difficulty.
Living in anticipation of the deep satisfaction of His embrace and the realized purpose of His delight is motivational. It prompts us to live for His opinion alone – to hear His “Well done!” Instead of losing our minds in the frenzy, fear or frustration of the battle, our fixed gaze on Christ, expecting His return, grants us sound judgment and well-composed minds so that we see and understand our times, yet live purposefully, pointing to God and magnifying Christ, because we not only see Him, but by His light we see everything else.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
Psalm 36:9
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