Keep Moving

     In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. 

     And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. 

     You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same.
Ephesians 4:1-7 The Message

This passage makes me think about running and I got to reminiscing about a couple coworkers who ran the Houston Marathon a few years back. Twenty-six grueling miles... 

Would they have finished the race if they'd wandered off the pathway that was marked before them? Would they have been disqualified for unauthorized shortcuts? Could they have correctly competed in AND completed the race, had they not followed the rules? What if they just quit because they were tired or because they were in pain? What if they had run 25 and nine-tenths miles...and quit? What if they had turned around and gone back the way they'd come?

One's a young man, in his twenties; one is - shall we say seasoned? - in his early fifties. Both ran the same marathon, same road, same direction. Do they have the same style of running? No. Are they built the same? No, not even close. Did they have the same running time? No, but they both started at the beginning. And both had one purpose in mind; finish the race...which they both did.

One was at work on the Monday following the race. One took Monday off to recover. There were people in that race that were in their 70s and older. Two of the ones in their seventies didn't start running until one was in his 50s and the lady was 61 when she ran her first marathon. Never too early. Never too late to start.

That's just like our race. We all have to get to the same starting point... Sinners saved by grace. Then we all run the road to Heaven. Heading in the same direction, albeit at different speeds. Some running, some walking, some marching a straight line, and some limping... Some through intense conditions, but all of them moving forward, be it fast or slow. We must finish the race!

So, let's keep moving...

Prayer:

Father,
           We're not going back. We've got our eye on the prize, but may we also be Your hand extended for those along the way who need encouragement to keep going. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen