It’s that time of year again, a time filled with excitement and anticipation. A time that elite marathoners can only dream of, as they prepare for one of the most prestigious races in the world. The Boston Marathon, known for its challenging, hilly course and rich history, draws thousands of participants and spectators alike from all over the world. Runners spend years training tirelessly for this moment; my son included. As those who run marathons are aware, you must have a qualifying time to be able to run this race.

I wasn’t able to be there this year to watch him run, but I watched him from the Boston Marathon App cheering him on from afar. Each time I checked in, my heart raced as I followed his progress along the iconic course. When I saw his times dragging a little, I would find myself shouting, “come on, Aaron, you can do it,” as if he could hear me from miles away. And did it he did—through the tired muscles and mental barriers, he pushed on. Aaron finished the Boston Marathon with an impressive time of 2:34, showcasing his dedication and training. He not only completed the race but finished 567th out of an astounding 30,000 runners! I am so proud of him knowing how hard he has worked to reach this milestone.

But it wasn’t always this way. When he was in the eighth grade, a virus attacked his heart and he was told he would never be able to play sports again. The doctors said if his heart rate would get too high, he could die. How was I supposed to keep my athletic son stationary? I began to plead with God to heal my son. We had every person we knew agree with us in prayer for the next month before his next follow up appointment.

A month later, we went to his appointment anxiously awaiting any kind of news that something has changed. After his testing, the doctor entered the room and told us, “I don’t know how this happened, but Aaron’s heart is completely healed. The virus did not do ANY damage to his heart. This is unheard of. Your son can resume his regular activity including playing sports!”

It was at this point when Aaron found his love for long distance running. He was first on his high school team, won district championships, ran for Youngstown State University, coached middle schoolers, won marathons, and is pursuing the olympic trials so he can declare what God has done for him. He is a walking and running miracle!

Perseverance and Endurance is Essential

People run marathons for many different reasons. Some like the challenge of pushing their physical and mental limits to achieve a personal goal, others like to build discipline and build their endurance, while others run them simply because they love to run.

The Bible compares the christian life like that of a marathoners. Hebrews 12:1 says:

“Therefore we also, since we are are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”

Just as a runner needs to set aside any extra weight that would slow him down, we are to do the same in our Christian walk with God. As an athlete prepares their body for optimal performance, we too must cultivate our hearts and minds, focusing on faith and righteousness. By letting go of those things that weigh us down, we are able to run our race with perseverance.

What is perseverance? The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines perseverance as a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”

What are some things that weigh us down?

• Extra responsibilities and overcommitments
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Finances
• Sin
• Unhealthy Relationships

The extra weight of these will cause us to lose sight of our purpose and the abundant life Christ came to give us. They will stunt our spiritual growth and cause us turmoil we were never meant to carry. If you want to finish the race God has planned out for you, be wise with what you are carrying.

Galatians 5:7 NKJV says: “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Don’t allow the weight you carrying hinder you from all that God has planned for you.

What is Endurance?

According to Bible Hub, endurance means to withstand hardship, adversity or stress over a prolonged period.

Just like a marathoner must go through grueling training, pain, and injury to obtain the prize, we, in our Christian walk, must persevere and endure through trials continuing to believe God is faithful. Along the path, we may encounter moments of doubt and hardship, yet it is important to remember that these experiences help build our character and strengthen our faith. Just as athletes rely on their coaches and supporters, we too can lean on our churches and prayer as sources of encouragement.

Hebrews 10:35-36 says:

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.”

Patient endurance is what is needed when we go through the trials of life. It is an essential quality that allows us to face challenges with a sense of resilience and determination knowing that God is in control. Life is filled with obstacles and hardships, and during these moments of struggle, we often feel overwhelmed and anxious. However, we must remind ourselves that we are sustained by God’s power and not our own. We can’t get through this life without Him. His strength provides us with the courage to keep moving forward, even when the journey seems daunting.

Conclusion

Don’t take your eyes off of the prize. Just as a marathoner runs a race to win, we too must run our Christian race to win the prize of heaven. There will be many things in this life that will attempt to weigh us down—distractions, obstacles, and even discouragement—but amid these challenges, we must remember to persevere with endurance until we see the finish line. Every step taken in faith, every trial overcome, builds our character and strengthens our resolve. Just as athletes train rigorously, we too must equip ourselves with the Word of God and prayer, allowing these tools to empower us to push through the hardships and temptations that come our way. Let us keep in mind that the greatness of the reward is worth every effort we invest in this race of faith.