Acts 20:24
"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God."
As much as I love running and the fellowship of other runners, I can declare with Paul the race I entered when I accepted Jesus as my Savior is the most important run of my life. Nothing compares to the eternal race I run mile after mile daily with my Savior.
My heart is one with Paul as he declares in Philippians 3:8,
"I count all things as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ."
Most runners also know it isn’t how we start, but how we finish that really matters at the finish line. Do you feel like you got off to a rough start in life this morning? As long as you are breathing you are still in the race! Have you taken a fall in life and are deeply injured in your race by those you loved and trusted? You aren’t in this race alone. You have a Coach and Savior who never leaves or forsakes you. If you will run by His rules and obey His regulations you will get back up and be given a second wind. He will treat your wounds and enable you to run stronger each time you fall. It is an endurance race. You must persevere and not give up. Let us all be able to join Paul as he neared his last mile proclaiming,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
What an award’s ceremony that will be! I admonish you,
" Be there!"
In His love.
Having friends to share life’s victories and struggles with is one of my greatest treasures. Pictured here is one of those dear friends. Tammy Croom shared in the victory of once again conquering the five mile run up Grandfather Mountain known as The Bear in Boone, NC.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
