In a story titled “In frigid conditions, local runner wins in BMW Dallas Marathon debut for 2nd year in a row,” published by the Dallas Morning News on December 14, it was reported that On Sunday’s 55th running of the Dallas Marathon, it was 30 degrees at start time with a wind chill of 18 degrees. Far from ideal. In fact, Sunday’s weather marked the coldest Dallas Marathon Sunday since 2013, when the race was cancelled for the first and only time due to frigid and icy conditions.
Despite the weather, there was no shortage of impressive performances. Paris Olympic marathoner Dakotah Popehn was the celebrity ambassador this year and won the half-marathon in 1:12:24, in what was admittedly not all-out effort for the world-class runner. Popehn joked that she was eyeing the course record of 1:11:32.
“The course record kept getting in my mind. I still felt like it was out of reach, but we got such a nice tailwind at mile 7 coming back home and I just started ripping,” Popehn said.
Popehn had positive impressions of the course and city and the weather might have even helped her run faster.“I love a race like this. It was beautiful. The cold was probably why I ran so fast,” Popehn said.
Talk about adverse conditions working for someone’s good! No doubt, after claiming her well-deserved prize, Dakotah was thankful for the “frigid” temperatures. In the same way, adverse conditions can work to our advantage too. This was something Paul was alluding to when he said, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Now if you know anything about Paul’s life, you would label his afflictions as anything but light. The Apostle Paul's struggles were immense and beyond what most people could bear. They encompassed severe physical persecution (floggings, stonings, shipwrecks, hunger, cold), constant danger (robbers, false brethren, imprisonment), and deep emotional burdens (anxiety for the churches, internal conflicts). He famously described these in 2 Corinthians 11, detailing beatings, near-death experiences, and perils from Jews, Gentiles, and within the church. Yet he viewed these weaknesses as opportunities for Christ's power to be perfected in him, finding strength in God's grace. Paul’s affliction worked to his advantage!
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:14
This is the very reason Paul told us to “not lose heart” when (not if) difficulties arise. Although they might seem monumental to us, and seemingly have no end, believers have the hope and confidence that even the worst suffering experienced on earth is only “light and momentary” compared to the glories of eternity in heaven. Life here on earth is but a vapor, but our eternal life in glory, yet unseen, will make the affliction worth it all. In fact, the troubles we have today are achieving for us a lasting benefit: they are making us more like Christ which means our afflictions work to our advantage!
So, if you’re going through difficult times today, take heart my friend. This life will be over before you know it and, if you remain faithful and press on to the finish line, you will soon see Jesus face to face. Meanwhile, keep trusting God and keep running the race. It will be worth it!
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that this life is brief when compared to eternity. Help us to keep our hearts on what is unseen so that we won’t lose heart in the midst of our trials, afflictions, pain, and persecution but would remain joyful, hopeful, and expectant. Help us to abound in the work of the Lord until the day You call us home despite our troubles so that we will not have run the race in vain. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen
Happy Running!
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