On Sunday I ran the Sydney Marathon. With 42.195 kilometres to run it gave me a lot of time to think, and I thought a lot about the Christian life.
Stage 1: finding your feet
For the first couple of kilometres I was thinking about keeping my head, not getting over-excited and going too fast, and concentrating enough so I didn't trip over in the crush of people.
It made me think about the first years of Christian faith. The early years can be a dangerous time, particularly for young people as their rush of enthusiasm can see them develop unhelpful expectations and end up tripping up and dropping out early. Those are critical years for the church family to be helping new believers settle in and 'find their feet'. While heading up and over the Harbour Bridge I was thinking about the great privilege and responsibility of discipling young believers in the faith.
Stage 2: Cruising along
Once I'd settled in the next challenge was to get to the half-way point. I'd run half-marathons before so I knew what was manageable. I knew also that in the second half of the run I was going to be a lot more fatigued than at the beginning so I'd decided to aim for a faster split over the first 20 km anticipating a slower finish and still hit the target time. So there I am, still full of energy, cruising along at a good pace, soaking in the moment and enjoying the view.
It reminded me of the early years of discipleship and ministry and the enthusiasm I often see in the students at College. Full of energy and innovation, ready to take on the world with an optimism born both of youthful vigour and the Spirit of God. These are years to make the most of. There's still the danger of going too fast too soon and having to retire hurt; but there's also a great opportunity for productive service.
I think back to those who gave me my head as a young leader, who opened doors of opportunity and backed my ideas. I also think about the times they were there to call me into line and pick up the pieces. I find myself hugely inspired and encouraged by the younger leaders that are coming through the College. Realising that being on the other side of 40 my own days of being a 'young leader' are either fading fast or well and truly gone! My challenge is to keep my eyes open to the leaders that God is raising and do all I can to open doors and back new ideas without giving away the responsibility to lead and guide.
Stage 3: the ‘dead-zone’
I'd been told that the stretch from 20 to 35 km was the 'dead-zone' of the marathon. Getting tired, but still with a really long way to go, here was the part of the run where it was easy to get discouraged, easy to drop off the pace. At this stage perhaps I was less likely to drop out, but could easily have let go the focus and end up unable to reach my goal. The challenge was to stick to the goal pace and stay in that rhythm. There were sections where I slipped back and others where I pressed on strongly, but overall the challenge was to simply stay on target.
I'm not about to say that the Christian 'mid-life' is a 'dead-zone', but I was reflecting on the particular challenges that I'm facing - past the early years of great energy and innovation, getting tired, but still with a long way to go. I've often thought that the danger at this stage of my Christian life is not so much to drop out entirely, but just to give away the goal of giving my all, and to settle with something less. These can be difficult years when the big life changes of conversion are mostly dealt with but the challenge to live fully for Jesus remains - it's just that the challenges are more subtle, and the sins more familiar. For me the disciplines of the Christian life, those practices that reinforce repentance and faith, have become more and more important to remain committed to. If you're with me in Christian mid-life, will we urge one another to press on, and do so more and more.
Stage 4: see the finishing line
By the time I got to the 35km mark it was seriously hard work. I was tired. My legs hurt. My feet hurt. But I could see the finish line, and that made all the difference. The final seven kilometres was an out and back loop. So as I was trudging my way up the western distributor towards Pyrmont I could see other runners already on their way back down the hill with that look of relief in their eyes that said 'it's all downhill from here to the finish!' Advance runners called out words of encouragement to those a little further behind - "not much further", "only another 5 k", "you can finish". That kept me going; and so by the time I was on the downhill run I could do the same for others.
There are so many older Christians who are closer to the finish line than I am who have been constant sources of encouragement and motivation. Urging me on, demonstrating from their own lives that the race can be run all the way to the end. I'm thankful to them, and pray that in time I can be the same for others.
Coming around under the Harbour Bridge at Dawes Point the finish line at the Opera House was in clear view. The 41 km marker signalled only a bit over a kilometre to go. This was the moment I'd been aiming for for so long. Now I had no need to hold anything in reserve. I gave it my all and finished with a woop of delight. We got a medal and a t-shirt, a bottle of water and a sports drink, and a few bits of orange. Not quite the messianic banquet, but perhaps a small taste of that day.
Today as I write this, twenty-four hours have passed, the pain is gone and the struggle of those 42 km is just a memory. One day that will be true of these 'light and momentary troubles' (2 Corinthians 4:17). One day we will experience in full that eternal glory that awaits.
I didn't learn anything new from running a marathon, but it was an experience that gave me a new perspective on the privilege, joy, struggle, challenge and hope of the Christian life.
It was a good day out.
So,'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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart' (Hebrews 12:1-3).
With three other team-mates I ran the Sydney Marathon to raise funds for Youthworks College and SRE. To sponsor us go online to [url=http://www.gofundraise.com.au/Youthworks]http://www.gofundraise.com.au/Youthworks[/url]
