My nephew is training for an Iron Man competition taking place in April.
Every day Preston follows a carefully prescribed regimen of exercise, riding his bike, running, and/or swimming. He eats a specified diet, and strives for proper rest. Recently he purchased a new bike based on current research for achieving top speed.
Much of this is according to his trainer’s recommendations, from his acquired knowledge and experience as a competitor. The trainer knows what it takes to finish the race.
Over the last forty-plus years of Iron Man Triathlons, participants have learned strategies for success. For example, they use their arms almost exclusively for the swim portion, saving leg strength for the bike ride and run.
Months ago Preston had to choose: should he embark on this test of endurance or opt for an easier goal? And if he did tackle an Iron Man race, would he seek guidance or train on his own? You already know his choices.
Now Preston is within weeks of the race. He’s in the best shape of his life and pushing his body to accomplish far more than ever before. But any current contentment will be multiplied many times over when he crosses that finish line and celebrates the completion of this extreme challenge.
What Preston is experiencing in the physical realm, God would have us understand in a spiritual sense, as laid out in Jeremiah 6:16:
Like Preston, we face a choice, but of much greater consequence than a competition. Will we follow the ancient paths of God’s good ways or not? And like Preston, we can experience contentment now—not just when the race is complete. God offers us peaceful rest within our spirits (Philippians 4:6-7).
Meanwhile, many around us suffer from discontent and restlessness–the result of sin and following one’s own path. Jeremiah proposes a better plan: follow the good ways of God and contentment of soul will result.
But there’s a broader meaning to this verse. Jeremiah was addressing the entire nation of Judah. As he spoke the words quoted above, a national calamity loomed. Within a few years the people of Judah would be taken captive to Babylon, because the people had not listened to God’s words and they rejected God’s law (Jeremiah 6:19).
Our nation also stands at a crossroads, but few Americans seem to be looking to God for how to proceed. Instead they’re engrossed in self-interests. They don’t ask for the ancient paths that led us to security, prosperity, and blessing in the past.[1] They reject biblical values as out-of-date and stifling.
As a result, many Americans experience dissatisfaction in life, relying on drugs or alcohol to numb the emptiness and soul-strife.[2]
And what of us who believe in Christ and do seek the ancient paths? We stand at the crossroads of these choices:
- Will we defend our faith even though ridiculed?
- Will we remain on the ancient path of righteousness, or bend to blend in?
- Will we stand for absolute truth or succumb to the relative truth of the culture that says it all depends on perspective?
Uncomfortable repercussions may result when we stand for our faith and absolute truth. But our souls will rest in the peace and contentment of a clear conscience.
When Preston finishes his race, family and friends will be ready to congratulate him.
When we finish our life race, God will be ready to congratulate us with, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
IF we remain steadfast.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test
he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 (ESV)
* * * * * * * * * *
Help us all, O God, to be on guard against the lies of the enemy, to stand firm in our faith, to remain courageous and strong in all circumstances. Our heart’s desire above all is to honor you—by finishing strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13)
Notes
[1] The security of settled minds (Psalm 112:7-8), the prosperity as God’s people (Jeremiah 29:11), and the blessing of his provision (2 Corinthians 9:8).
[2] a. In 2017, 12.7% of Americans were taking antidepressants, up 64% since 2014 (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/11/numbers).
b. About 38% of adults in 2017 battled an illicit drug use disorder (https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics ).
c. 14.5 million people, or 5.3% of the population had AUD, alcohol use disorder, in 2019 (https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics).
From the Inside Out 
Thank you for this strong message of the race we as Christians are running. Finishing strong is the goal, to be faithful, and courageous as it might not be very popular. Thank you for this timely reminder!
Thank YOU, Pam, for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comment. I needed the reminder myself!
Nancy, thank you for such a timely and inspiring message. We Christians are certainly being challenged today; and need to rely on our Awesome God and each other to give us the strength, courage and patience to see us through.
AMEN, Ruth! I have a feeling the challenges will increase, but you are so right: we have a reliable, Awesome God who will get us over the finish line if we remain faithful. The support of one another is paramount as well.
Many of our crossroads have a quicker expiration date than we think, I am praying for an alertness to come over God’s people.
Amen, Gary. There is hope for our nation yet, in the words God spoke to Judah: “If that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned” (Jeremiah 18:8). May we turn SOON!
Amen. I am so grateful to the Lord because I know it is well with my soul.
You are so right, Linda. I can’t imagine going to bed at night without God’s peace that transcends understanding!
These are the times when we have to remain more steadfast than ever in the Lord and His will. May He keep us on the ancient, tried and true paths as we run our race for Him.
And good luck to Preston!
Blessings, Nancy!
I’m praying with you that God keep us on the ancient paths of truth as we run our race for him. (I like the way you said that!) Thanks for the well wishes for Preston!
Dear Nancy, thank you for this blog, which inspired me today. As a runner myself, I appreciate your analogies using running. I pray for God to help me to remain steadfast.
Me too, Elaine, me too. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Nancy, as always a good one and so applies to today. Hope Preston does his best. That is what I always encouraged with my granddaughter that was a very competitive swimmer. She is now at America University in D.C. accomplishing her masters and doctorate. Take Care and God Bless.
Thank you, Janet. Wow–a masters and doctorate for your granddaughter–very impressive! (‘Course, she comes from superb stock!!) Winning was never Preston’s goal. He works full time, and I’m guessing the top contenders train full time. But I’m quite sure Preston will finish, which IS his goal He’s been diligent in his prep, and he’s not a quitter.
inspirational!! Thanks for the encouraging boost today
Praise God you found inspiration here today, Jean!
I cherish the image of God waiting for us to cross that finish line. I needed this reminder that even when the race is difficult I must keep pushing through. Thanks for sharing, Nancy.
I need the same reminder–frequently; thus the post! Thank you, Tresa!
Great message!! Praying a strong race for Preston and I pray as Christians we would train and finish in this life well for His glory!!
Thank you, Alicia. Training is so important for our spiritual race–studying the Bible and putting into practice what we learn. It is the strong that finish well, and I want to be among them!
Oh Nancy, more than ever we need Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. And the active presence of the Holy Spirit who will prompt us when to speak or act or be still.
Come Lord Jesus, come.
And go, Preston, go!
Thank you, Linda, for adding your insight. I do pray for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit so I’ll hear his prompt to speak or act or be still. P.S. Love your play with opposites in the last two sentences!
First of all, the very best wishes for Preston!
I found encouragement in this post, Nancy. My heart has been heavy this week as I follow the direction our country’s leaders are taking our nation. Even though I cannot control these decisions I can look to the Lord to strengthen my faith. I have been reminded that I need to keep my eyes on Him and constantly be in prayer and in the Word so that my emotions and peace of mind are not compromised by what is going on right now. Praise God for leading me to Psalm 146: ” 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them– the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.”
Nancy, I have been looking to some mere mortal to save our country but verse 3 is key in two ways for me. First the country’s leaders need to return to God as our foundation; and secondly, my individual well-being should be 100% focused upon my Savior and his imminent return. We should be praying for our country, the unsaved, and each other.
AMEN, Cheri!! Thank you for taking the time to type out Psalm 146 for us. How appropriate for these times! We ARE in need of a revival, to return to God as our foundation, just as you said. With you I pray for our country’s leaders–no matter which party is in control. Serious problems threaten to bring down our republic. But right now it seems effort is being invested in dismantling those solutions that were working.
Hi Nancy,
There are so many lessons from long-distance races. That’s what we have as believers are designed to do. Tell Preston to race well. That’s my middle name and I haven’t heard it or a while.
In Christ,
Gary
Good point, Gary. God designed us for the distance, and he’s with us to supply the strength and perseverance. How about that–you share my nephew’s name in common. What a fun coincidence!
“From the priestly house” is what Preston means. I am sure he lives that life out in what he does.
I did not know that–but I’m sure Preston does!