The Marathon
ByElizabeth Cole
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
By
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
The
air was brisk; a Tiffany-blue sky showcased startlingly white clouds
distinctive to the Midwest. Yes, it was a perfect day for the Chicago Marathon.
As we made our way through the early morning streets to our designated start,
the energy of the day was palpable. I’d never been to this historic
marathon…truth be told, I’d never been to any marathon. This would be
my first. 34,700 runners prepared to begin; I stomped my feet to keep the blood
flowing and settled into my assigned place…among 1.5 million spectators who’d
come to witness what would turn out to be a record-setting race.
We were joining our dear friend Andy’s family as he ran the race. Traveling by foot and by the L, we made our way to four different spots along the route, showing up in time to raucously cheer him on as he passed. We sure weren’t alone. Those hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the course, not only calling out encouragement to those whom they knew, but to those they didn’t, as well. Imagine, for a moment, you’re a marathoner, working your way up the hardest part of the course with a five-deep crowd of complete strangers yelling, “Hey, number 15169, nice job! Keep it up! You can do it!” Wow…talk about energizing!
Around mile 20, we waited with anticipation for Andy’s arrival. He came around the corner with a solid pace…unfathomable to me at this point in the race. As the rest of his family and friends wildly hollered our support, Andy’s adult son Alex took off…into the sea of runners, next to his dad’s side. Matching his stride to Andy’s, Alex proceeded to run the last six miles side-by-side his father. He didn’t say much, but knowing his dad’s time goal, he slowly and consistently accelerated their pace together as they neared the finish line.
The finish line. What a celebration! A Jumbotron screen broadcasting the runners; bands playing; blow horns screeching; gift bags, beverages, applause. Utter exhilaration!
Since then, I’ve thought about what those anonymous spectators did for the runners. Just words called out at exactly the right time. And since then, I’ve been challenged by what Alex did for Andy that day. Coming alongside as a companion. Few words, just motivating action that resulted in a triumph over the finish line! Oh, how I long to encourage others through my voice or through my presence.
Yes, today’s a perfect day for a marathon.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who needs words of encouragement from you today? And who needs just your motivating presence?
FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:2-3, 3:13, 10:25
We were joining our dear friend Andy’s family as he ran the race. Traveling by foot and by the L, we made our way to four different spots along the route, showing up in time to raucously cheer him on as he passed. We sure weren’t alone. Those hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the course, not only calling out encouragement to those whom they knew, but to those they didn’t, as well. Imagine, for a moment, you’re a marathoner, working your way up the hardest part of the course with a five-deep crowd of complete strangers yelling, “Hey, number 15169, nice job! Keep it up! You can do it!” Wow…talk about energizing!
Around mile 20, we waited with anticipation for Andy’s arrival. He came around the corner with a solid pace…unfathomable to me at this point in the race. As the rest of his family and friends wildly hollered our support, Andy’s adult son Alex took off…into the sea of runners, next to his dad’s side. Matching his stride to Andy’s, Alex proceeded to run the last six miles side-by-side his father. He didn’t say much, but knowing his dad’s time goal, he slowly and consistently accelerated their pace together as they neared the finish line.
The finish line. What a celebration! A Jumbotron screen broadcasting the runners; bands playing; blow horns screeching; gift bags, beverages, applause. Utter exhilaration!
Since then, I’ve thought about what those anonymous spectators did for the runners. Just words called out at exactly the right time. And since then, I’ve been challenged by what Alex did for Andy that day. Coming alongside as a companion. Few words, just motivating action that resulted in a triumph over the finish line! Oh, how I long to encourage others through my voice or through my presence.
Yes, today’s a perfect day for a marathon.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who needs words of encouragement from you today? And who needs just your motivating presence?
FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:2-3, 3:13, 10:25
Elizabeth
is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director
of Connecting at Oakwood Church.
