Don't look back

“Then Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 NLT

On Tuesday, Ultra Running History reported that Yen Nguyen had become the newest member of the 100x100 club; a small group of people who have completed at least 100 one-hundred mile races. Their Facebook post read: Congratulations to Yen Nguyen, age 60, from Houston, Texas, who finished her 100th 100-mile at the recent GOMU 48-hour World Championships held at Hainesport, New Jersey where she won her 60-64 age-group. She is the 22nd member of the 100x100 club. Yen started running in 1996 and accomplished her first 100-miler in 1998. She has run marathons and ultras in all 50 states and in 142 countries with a goal to reach 150. She currently has run 785 marathons or ultras, with a goal to reach 800 this year. As a self-described slow “back-of-the-pack” ultrarunner, she has demonstrated that speed is not necessary to reach the 100x100 milestone, but perseverance and determination is required. 

And you know, the number of members of the elite 100x100 club are so few because very few people have the “perseverance and determination” required to achieve something so difficult. Likewise, the cost of following Jesus is so great that few people will “keep their hand to the plow” and continue pressing on when things get hard. The majority of people will make excuses for why they can’t follow Him at all. But a great number of people will follow for a while and then simply give up when the race gets too difficult and go back to their easier life. Which is the very reason that Jesus said, “anyone who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingom of God.” 

So run the race with endurance my friend. Show up to put in the work when it’s hard, when you’re not seeing any results, and when you feel like giving up. But don’t give up! EVER! And remember… you don’t need speed to keep pressing on, you simply need a resolute determination to persevere no matter how difficult it might be. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us why so few people will enter into the narrow gate to become a part of the exclusive club of believers who press on until the end. Help us to be those people who never let go of the plow no matter how hard it might be to see the work completed and to inspire those around us to do the same. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!