When I volunteered to help at the State Special Olympics it was an unknown world to me. I had no idea what to do or what to expect. My friend recommended I be a “greeter” at the 30-yard dash. I asked, “What does this mean…what do I do?” The volunteers told me, “Oh, it’s easy. You stand in the lane, cheer the person on and if they look like they might fall try to catch them or break their fall. It’s fun!” So, I got in my lane & I noticed my friend helping a lady get set up in my lane. I notice she’s a rather large lady, and think to myself, “Oh good she will be a slow runner like me…no problem here.” Then I see my friend talking to the lady and I think, “isn’t that great, he is encouraging her to run & have fun.” BANG, the starter gun goes off and the lady in my lane begins to move. I have positioned myself about 6 feet in front of the finish line just in case she might stumble & fall. After she had taken a few steps, I decided to move back to the finish line. As she got closer, I could see the fire in her eyes. She had a full head of steam, running much faster. Now, I am almost running backwards as she hit me coming over the finish line. I grabbed my arms around her neck and held on. I told her, “You won, you won!” as she carried me another 5 or 6 yards. When she finally stopped, I saw my friend at the starting line laughing. He had told the lady, “See that big man straight ahead of you? He is going to try to keep you from winning. If he gets in your way, run over him!” And she did! 😊

I remember this moment from 29 years ago as if it were yesterday. While funny, it applies so much to our world today. The difference is the world is not joking when it tells us to compromise our faith. “The Bible does not apply to life today” or “you agree & comply, or you will be cancelled.” These are the same old lies from Genesis 3. Nothing has changed. There is no other way to a “full life,” to “eternal life” but Jesus. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The world want’s Christ followers to sit out the race. But Paul tells us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1Cornithans 9:24. And what is that prize? It’s the same prize Jesus gave to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” For we know from scripture found in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Jesus is our “FINISH LINE!”  

The race is not easy. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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 pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

May the words of Paul cheer you on… “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Press on my brothers & sisters, PRESS ON….