[Joel's Lessons] Start (Sep 18)

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Joel Warren

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Sep 18, 2011, 9:30:10 PM9/18/11

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Yesterday, I went to the Bike MS event in Cook Forest. There were two routes: 35 miles and 65 miles. As we were getting registered, and subsequently preparing our bikes and gear for the ride, the announcer was calling out for people to start each group. The 65-mile folks left in several groups about an hour before the 35-mile folks (so that everybody would get lunch at about the same time). The announcer and some of the volunteers that were running around organizing kept referring to the “65 mile race” and the “35 mile race.” It wasn’t really a race, but that is how they were wording it. As it turns out, somewhere along the way to get to the ride, my tube got a puncture and went completely flat. I filled it a couple of times, but the leak was too fast. I was scurrying around, gather tools and stuff and fiddling with it to find the problem. The group that I should have been in assembled and the gun went off. Away they went. Two more groups assembled and left, including the “absolute last call.” Then they wouldn’t let any more on the course. I got my tire fixed, but it was too late. I didn’t start.

1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

In the Christian faith, we so often talk about “running the race,” “keeping our eyes on the prize,” or “finishing the race.” But it dawned on me yesterday, as I ended up hiking on the (beautiful) trails in Cook Forest, that although it is indeed very important to continue in the race, run the race, persevere towards our goal, finish the race, and all of that, it all kind of hinges on whether or not we even start the race. After I was done with my hike, I was going to jump on my bike and pedal up the road to the pavilion where they had the pork barbecue going so that I could meet the riders as they finished and then have lunch, but I realized that it would look like I was finishing the race in very good time (some of the speedsters were already pulling in). I didn’t finish the race; I didn’t persevere mile after mile, hill after hill; I couldn’t cross the finish line…all because I didn’t even start.

So, I could ask you today if you have your eyes set on the one thing in life that is important. I could ask you if you are persevering in your faith. I could ask if you were pouring your whole heart into God’s work, running like you want to obtain the prize. But I’m going to ask you this: have you even started the race? Or are you off doing your own thing? God’s calling for people that will live for Him (completely) and do His work. Let’s get on the starting line and not quit running for Him until we’ve crossed that finish line and seen the glory of God completely!

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Yes, God is the finisher of our faith and is able to keep us from falling and presents us faultless in the very end. But He is also the Author! He will begin a good work in you, if you’d just surrender to Him and let Him work!