As my wife and I walked one morning, we noticed a few more cyclists than usual, then a few more, and then more yet. At least a hundred passed us. When asked, one yelled that they were cycling across the state. I’m tired just thinking about that kind of effort, and many of them were old-ish like me.
I wonder what effort it must take to bike a few hundred miles or to participate in an Iron Man competition. It must be exhausting. I have a brother who, for many years, ran fifteen miles each day and entered the 26-mile marathons, like the Boston Marathon. I used to run in 10K races. Running six miles every day to get ready was tiring, but rewarding.
Before one race, I drove up a mountain to get a decent parking place. Someone I had seen at other races peddled his bike up the mountain before the race, then ran and placed, and then biked home. Some people are driven to the extreme. The reason, I suppose, is personal, but again, someone must be driven or motivated by something. Everyone cheers whenever I or others near the finish line, and nothing makes those legs pump like those cheers.
As Christians, the Holy Spirit motivates us to be the best followers of Christ. In fact, we are encouraged to run the best race and fight the best fight of faithfulness. The difference between the physical races and the race of faithfulness is that God and His angels cheer for us to run until we receive the crown of glory. We should strive daily to glorify God with our efforts to respond to His love for us.
Although Jesus has already won the race, our actions show others how much we appreciate God’s love and that His love extends to all who believe. Love conquers all, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Love is patient and kind, and God is love.
Show your appreciation daily for what God has done for you.
Carl Schleede is a writer.