by Marilyn Ehle
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
“[Like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].” 1 Corinthians 9:27 (Amplified Bible)
The question was asked recently of a woman in her late 60’s who had just completed a grueling race: “How do you prepare mentally to run a marathon? “ Her response was swift and sure: “You don’t give in to a sore back or tired feet! In other words, you buck up and finish!”
In his book, King’s Cross, author and pastor Tim Keller writes, “Jesus is saying, ‘Knowing me, loving me, resembling me, serving me must become the supreme passion of your life. Everything else comes second’…”
Neither Jesus nor Keller makes a call for fanaticism, but both follow the pattern of the early Christians who recognized that the all-encompassing mandate to Christ followers is a lifelong priority. Yes, we are to be loving wives, husbands and parents, involved in our faith communities, being good and involved citizens, diligent workers. But over all flies the passionate flag of serving Christ.
This service will look as different as are the individuals created by our loving Father. Every task must have as its primary goal “to know Christ and make Him known.” Both knowing Christ and making Him known are lifelong pursuits and in those pursuits we will often be tempted to give in to “sore backs or tired feet.” While it is true that physical weariness will accompany our race, more often we are tempted by unfulfilled dreams, dashed hopes, contrary colleagues, ungrateful children, unfaithful friends and more.
Another statement by Keller applies here, “Jesus Himself does absolutely everything He’s called us to do.” Did our Savior grow weary? Did He experience betrayal? Was He forsaken? This one who calls us to follow after Him, to walk in His paths, to find in Him all we need knows every sore and aching spiritual muscle. What ultimate joy to “buck up and finish!”
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