4 July | Youth
«Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.» 1 Corinthians 9:24
I was preparing a sermon on perseverance to speak to a young crowd. And when I thought I had to talk to them about having strong muscles, I felt embarrassed. I had never done push- ups, for example. “How many push-ups can I do?” I asked myself. So, I lay down, put my hands on the floor and raised my body, groaning. I went down and raised my body again. I went down again and… I dropped down. I could not even do three push-ups. But that week, I said, “I can do it!” In less than a week, I managed to do ten push-ups. And I kept trying. Over time, the results began to appear.
We live in a society that does not celebrate waiting. We hate any kind of inconvenience. If there is not an app for it, we make one. It is sad that we are short-sighted. We need to develop strong spiritual muscles to persevere. Some think that the Christian life is just a race. It is not. We are in a marathon!
Cliff Young is considered the fastest slowest man in the world. In 1983, he decided to participate in the 875-kilometer Australian Ultramarathon. Only elite athletes participate in this competition, considered the longest race in the world.
Cliff was 61 years old. Journalists laughed at him and said: “You are twice as old as the athletes.” He replied: “I think I can do it. I come from a 2,000-hectare farm with 2,000 sheep. We do not have tractors. And to get around the farm, it takes me three days without sleeping or eating. I think I can do it.” He did not know that marathoners ran for 18 hours and slept for six. When the race started, Cliff fell behind. However, he did not stop at the resting point. He did not sleep for five days. He won the race with a nine-hour lead. The journalists asked him, “How did you do it?” He replied, “I ran. I simply did not stop.”
You are part of a generation of Christians who cannot give up the race! So, get up and carry on. The finish line is not far away.