Run!

1 Cor.9:24

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.

Over and over, as we watch the athletes compete at the summer Olympics

we see it is not how they begin a race or competition but how they finish that counts!

So too it is with the most sacred and ultimate universal race,

but, should we not win, this is one heartbreaking loss

no one can afford, because there is no coming back

'next year'  or in four years to try again.

No, it is not how we burst out of the gates at the starting line 

but by the grace and fear of God, how we persevere

through the ups and downs of life, faithful to the end

the counts eternally!

For we have become partakers of Christ if we 

hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end 

Heb.3:14

...so that He may establish your hearts blameless 

in holiness before our God and Father

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus 

that you should abound more and more,

 just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

  2for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

1 Thess.3:13. & 4:1

Let Us Run

Run! Fit for the calling, cutting worldly ties  

Training like an athlete fixed upon the prize

Run! with firm endurance, with no backward stares

Lest some former stumble distracts and despairs 

Run! lest in some moment, in the hardest part

We look back with longing of a wicked heart

Run! lest love of leisure, seeking to attract

Lures us from the treasure Heaven keeps intact

 

Run! with holy yearning, though no roars applaud

Trained to be discerning through the Word of God

Run! and feel the pleasure of the joy that waits

As the fervent faithful pass through Heaven's gates 

 © Janet Martin

Great Is Thy Faithfulness