2 Tim. 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I COR. 9:23-27

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

 Many things inspire us. Some mornings the beauty of a sunrise helps set the tone for the day. Other days inspiration may come from a smile, a conversation, or a story of faithful perseverance. God has placed so much at our fingertips. It may only be a matter of recognizing the many graces of life that are offered so freely. Paul was an astute observer. He recognized spiritual power in the mundane, God’s work in the ordinary, and divine principles in the typical experiences of life. Who else might look at a Roman centurion and discover the armor of God, the way Gods’ gifts enshroud and protect us? Who else could have gazed at the statue of the unknown god in Athens and see it immediately as a way to introduce the ONE TRUE GOD? Who else could motivate the entire athletic community to ponder the riches of eternity? Well, maybe some of us could, have and will again, but Paul represents the rare ability to translate life to the divine and the divine to life.

The use of athletic language to convey meaning for our Christian endeavors was a transformative way to express incarnation – God with us. After reading these portions of Paul’s letters the Greek-minded athlete would not likely be able to run a race without thinking about God, about his faith and about the relationship. For anyone exposed to the world of athletics the images conveyed here of training and endurance quickly resonate with the effort to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ; not always easy, but still rewarding.

I hope we can draw strength from our ordinary experiences in life, as those experiences point to the guiding presence of our Lord. May they inspire us to strive, to endure, to “run the race.” May they help us trust more fully in God’s Holy Spirit, remaining faithful even when it’s hard.

I look forward to the upcoming season of Lent-Easter. We begin the journey on Wednesday, February 6 th with a covered dish dinner at 6:00 pm and our traditional Ash Wednesday worship following.

Shalom, Dave