Day 132: “The Race is Over Before it Begins”

DAY 132

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Nineteen – Friday 24 July 2020

“The Race is Over Before it Begins”

“A public health crisis that has proved to be treacherous for large events claimed two more of the world’s biggest marathon’s, with organizers in New York and Berlin canceling their races this year because of the spread of the coronavirus … . The New York Marathon, one of the most prestigious and lucrative events of its kind, would have celebrated its 50^th anniversary in November … . Public health officials have said mass events, especially those that bring people together from across the globe, will remain a danger until a treatment or a vaccine for COVID-19 is available …” - Recent newspaper article of the same title

My favorite movie, “Chariots of Fire,” is the true story of Eric Liddle, a gold medal runner in the 1924 Paris Olympics and later a missionary to China. Early on in the movie there is a scene in which another runner shoves Eric so hard he finds himself falling outside the track. Instead of collapsing in self-pity and anger he gets himself up, re-enters the track, runs, and wins. It can happen. Paul writes to the believers at Galatia who were having difficulties ‘staying inside the track of orthodox Christian beliefs,’ asking “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from observing the truth?” Galatians 5:7. It is not uncommon to encounter people who began this race with Jesus and were doing well, only to have something throw them off course, whether alien religious beliefs, a family tragedy, a failed marriage, or sexual misconduct. Many things can knock us off track. They key is to not sit and wallow in such incidents, but to get up and start running again. This doesn’t have to do with losing our salvation, but it does have to do with losing our sense of strength and peace and focus in Christ, keeping our eyes on the race.      

Some races have to deal with interference, some as in the article above are cancelled all together. The call to us in our race can be found in Hebrews 12:1-2: “… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

Reflective question: How does where you are in your life fit in to Paul’s testimony in 2 Timothy 4:6-8? What might need to change for you to make his testimony yours?

Reflective Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7 – “… I have finished the race …” 

Reflective hymn: “Fight the Good Fight” – John Monsell (1811-1875)

Run the straight race through God’s good grace.

 Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;

Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.