Imagine running for over 2 and 1/2 hours in a competitive race and coming in second – one second behind the winner. That’s what happened in the running of the 2009 Boston Marathon in the women’s division.
Salina Kosgei won the race in 2:32:16. The second place finisher was Dire Tune. American Kara Goucher was third. In the men’s race, Deriba Merga won in 2:08:42. An American, Ryan Hall placed third – the best American finish in many years.
I hope that in the running of the most important race of your life – your spiritual race – that you are not doubting whether or not you will win a prize at the end of the race.
Hebrews 12:1-4 encourages us to run our race of faith – from start to finish – with our eyes set on Jesus. If we do that… run our race of life with Jesus, then we are assured of receiving the prize of eternal life. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 tells us that we will receive a crown of righteousness and that Jesus will present it to us. This award – this prize – is available to each person that eagerly awaits Jesus to return because they know that upon that day, they will enter into heaven with Him – and they will win their race. In this race, all who believe in Jesus will receive the best prize – eternal life!
Are you running the race of life with Jesus? I hope so. This is certainly one race that you don’t want to finish second in.
