In the Race with Jesus

"Run the race that is set before you!"  "Run so as to win the prize!"  These are a few of the words the Apostle Paul used to encourage God's people to hold on to the faith which had been given to them.

Runners need that kind of encouragement. Take for example Minnesota's contribution to endurance runners everywhere: Grandma's Marathon, held every June in Duluth. Runners come from around the world; and fans flood the area to cheer them on.  That's encouragement.

For a tale of discouragement, look at the top two runners. A Russian, Andreev, won this race, edging out the man from Kenya, Mutisya, by 18 seconds. They were close throughout the race, with the Kenyon, Mutisya, ahead; at some point along the race the Russian cut a corner, gaining a two-second advantage and passing Mutisya. Andreev didn't realize the mistake, but for Mutisya it was an added burden.  Although he did not protest, he commented on that moment: "I knew he was tired when he did that; but immediately after, I was the one who had to use all the energy to try to stay with him. I could feel it in my legs. I was never the same."  The two-second advantage grew to eighteen, as Andreev gained the victory over Mutisya.

What discourages you in life? Seeing someone cutting corners? As Mutisya found out, such things can take the wind out of your sails.  We may run the race, but with the added burden we know that we will not finish well. 
All the more reason to hear Paul's words clearly, "Run the race that is set before you!"  "Run so as to win the prize!"

This year's Vacation Bible School followed that theme, calling kids to "Run the Race with Jesus."  We looked at different people from the Bible who had to run difficult races in life, but who found victory as they trusted their Lord for all things: Moses, Naaman, Daniel, Jesus, to name a few. But ultimately, we underscored the message that every person is called to the race, and God promises and provides the victory through Jesus Christ.

We added the traditional racing flags and adopted them for Christian living.  Here is a poem which sums up our week of Vacation Bible School.

God's Racing Flags 
The flag waves green!  God says go!  
He gives us his Spirit to let our faith grow.
He gave us Jesus, who frees us from sin; 
When your heart holds Jesus, a new life begins.

The flag waves yellow!  God says wait!  
He wants you to slow down and concentrate.
Trouble is out there, like a lion in the grass;
Be alert, stay in your lane; don't be tempted, do not pass!

The flag waves red or black!  God says stop! 
The racing is paused when either flag is dropped.
The devil wants sin and death to rob you of your place.
God overcomes him and keeps you in the race!

The striped flag is falling: someone's passing: do not fear.
Even if you're lapped, you know that God is near.
The race is almost over when you see the flag that's white:
It means you have another lap, and then the end's in sight!

The checkered flag is waving, the racing now is done,
All who pass beneath this flag are those who will have won.
For Christ gives us the victory; and as this flag comes down,
In grace we step before God's throne, by faith we have our crown.