11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:11-12)
Every day I drive to work. On many days, this alone is a small miracle. The route I drive takes me past a local high school. Given this time of year, there is undoubtedly always football players practicing in the humid Ohio morning as well as cross country maniacs running up and down the busy road. The last week I have noticed one kid teen in particular. Every morning, like clockwork, she runs with everything she has oftentimes looking miserable. She is not the fastest nor is she the most graceful runner, yet she continues slowly through the thick morning air. While the more gifted kids run seemingly miles ahead, this girl does her best, fighting against genetics and expectations. This particular morning I thought:
She never gives up, no matter how she finishes, why should I?
Truthfully, we all have adequate reasons to quit. “We’re not gifted enough” “We don’t have enough support” “We can’t be as successful as them”. If you are looking for a reason to quit, you have plenty. Yet there is something spiritual about perseverance, even when there is no way to succeed. You see, the world judges success in placement – Gold, Silver, Bronze. “If you’re not first, you’re last”. But Christ is more concerned with the battle inside us than the battle beyond us. Success is relative. It is all “patience with joy” (v.11). Paul beautifully illustrates success that was purchased for us in v.12.We are already “qualified”, bought, loved and saved, it no longer matters how we finish. Success through the foundation of Christ is now found in patiently enduring no matter where we finish.
As I grow older I realize my limits. I’m not a fast runner. I’m not the greatest communicator, writer, or pastor – but I am better than I was yesterday. In this success I rest foolishly believing my best days are ahead of me. If in the middle of the race I look and find no one around me, I will endure because it’s what I am called to do.
And so we run. Not to win, not to compete, but simply to run. Keep running.
Matt simon blog 