I was in a marathon once....oh about forty years ago. There were thousands of entrants....and I came in second....to the last. I could have come in fourth to the last....as I could feel the adrenalin in the last hundred yards....but the two runners in front of me were....well I think 'elderly' would be the word....they were holding hands....and the crowd was cheering them on. Had I passed them it would not have been good.
I had a bug the night before....and woke up in a hotel bed drenched in sweat. I had pasta for my evening meal and planned on a light breakfast but could not eat anything. It was about 86 degrees during the run. I started off well and eight miles into it I was faster than I had planned. I tried to take a paper cup of water but it came right up. At the halfway point I was right on my schedule....but I knew that I was done. The marathon was out and back. Somewhere along the course an EMT ran out to me to ask if I needed assistance. Somewhere I have a photo of me on the course....one of those where they send you a thumbnail and you can order the photo if you want. Why on earth I ordered it I do not know. I was alone....with dozens if not hundreds a paper cups strewn on the street. The photographer was probably on overtime.The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is....as you know....a remarkable testimony of those before us who displayed faith. It is a very humbling chapter. Some "escaped" the sword....and some were "slain" by the sword. Chapter twelve starts out with this verse...."Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (ESB)
If the Lord permits it will be seventy-four years in a few weeks. It's been a long race. I may come in last in this one....but I know that my Savior and my King will see me through to the end. This course is not out and back....but just out. We start in the City of Destruction....and finish in the Celestial City. There are occasional hills and rocks and dark valleys. There is despair at times....and mockery often....but there are cups of living water all along the way!
