2000-11-20 - Marathoning With God

Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Tamerlane used to relate the following anecdote to his friends. "I once was forced to take shelter from my enemies in a ruined building, where I sat alone many hours. Desiring to divert my mind from my hopeless condition, I fixed my eyes on an ant, that was carrying a grain of corn larger than itself up a high wall. I numbered the efforts it made to accomplish this object. The grain fell 69 times to the ground; but the insect persevered, and the 70th time it reached the top. This sight gave me courage at the moment, and I never forgot the lesson."

Yesterday, 11-19, was the running of the Philadelphia marathon. Usually, for me, it simply presents a traffic nuisance as I try to get to church. However, this year my brother-in-law was running in the race so it held a bit more interest. As we visited the day before the race he spelled out his system for reaching a desired time. He knew he had to run each mile a certain rate in order to make his desired time. Like the above illustration, this was an anecdote for me.

Planning and perseverance are both important parts of the Christian life. The planning aspect is similar to running a marathon and seeking a desired time. Perseverance is that aspect of keeping on, or as the Grateful Dead eloquently sang, "Keep Truckin'."

And that is what we must do. God's call to Abram was, "...walk before me, and be perfect." (Genesis 17:1) Hezekiah actually says, "...I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart..." This is our mission. Our mission is to walk faithfully with our God, or as Micah 6:8 says, "...to walk humbly with your God". There are so many obstacles to this Christian duty that our two focus points for today, planning and perseverance, are essential to accomplishing goal.

Walking with God requires us to submit ourselves to all of God's commands and providence's in our lives. Walking with God means we must be content with what God brings us each day. Walking with God means living in the light given us in Christ and depending upon God for our daily sustenance. Walking with God means giving all glory to God and taking none for ourselves.

This is why planning and perseverance are needed in the Christian life. Planning implies a thought-out, considered life. A planned life is one that knows where it is, where it is going, and what the ultimate goal is. It is like running a marathon. And perseverance is much like Tamerlane's ant. It took 70 times, but the ant did reach the goal.

So it is with the Christian. We are all running a marathon. Our goal is heaven. To reach the goal we must continue in the race. So keep truckin', rest in Christ, and give all glory to God.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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