Matthew is a good runner; Olympic caliber, if you ask him.
He ran in the Regional Cross Country meet today and gave me a visual lesson. I cleared one hour in the middle of the day to watch and cheer. He lined up with over one hundred and fifty other 10 year-old boys. The starter’s pistol sounded and he jumped out to the front of the pack, carrying a top ten into the woods. I walked over to the finish line with the rest of the parents, anxiously watching and waiting for him to emerge form the forest.
The first place boy came out and headed down the home stretch, then second, then third and then Matthew appeared after a few more. As he rounded the final turn leading to the home stretch another boy began to overtake him on the outside. But Matthew dug deep and carried his 13th position to the finish line, exhausted.
I ran over and hugged my sweaty little boy. He was a red, hot, sweaty, desperately thirsty, dizzy-almost-faint mess.
But, his joy was full.
He had finished the race and finished well.
His proud dad was there to welcome him.
I looked into his sparkling eyes and thought of St. Paul. He described his life in terms of finishing a race.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth 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.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
Notice that gaining the crown is conditional upon loving the Lord and his appearing, not where you place in the race of life. In other words, the reward you receive at the end of your life is not based on your performance but rather on remaining faithful to the Lord and longing for his return.
Yet sometimes I find myself a red, hot, sweaty, desperately thirsty, dizzy-almost-faint mess; not trying to earn my crown, but just following the path that the Lord has set before me. The Christian life can be like a race. But today, in Matthew’s eyes, I caught a glimpse of the joy known only to those who remain convinced and finish well.
