Make Sure Your Name is in the Book

“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” Philippians 4:1-3 NKJV

In a story published by Canadian Running yesterday, it was reported that:

It’s been nearly 72 years since Roger Bannister became the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile at his university track in Oxford. Since Bannister showed the way, 2,349 athletes have followed in his footsteps, making it harder to keep track of—until now.

A British distance runner and a few of his friends have created a new online encyclopedia for sub-four-minute milers called sub4milers.com. The website compiles all runners who have broken the barrier, along with when/where they did it, plus how many times.

The creator, Josh Elston-Carr—a sub-four-minute miler himself, noticed there was no comprehensive online database of sub-four performances. His idea was to build a website that includes analytics on every athlete who has run a sub-four-mile, along with sortable lists by chronology, fastest performances, most recent results and total sub-four efforts. Visitors can also filter by country or continent and track how the barrier has progressed over time.

Elston-Carr said one data point that stood out to him was how quickly the level of competition has accelerated over the last decade. He points to improved pacing, fast indoor tracks (like the one at Boston University), advances in spike technology and nutrition.

And, you know, while it would be awesome to have my name listed in an online encyclopedia, I know that it's more awesome to have my name listed in the “Book of Life” alongside faithful laborers of Jesus Christ like Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and the rest of Paul's fellow workers, who did something much harder than running a four-minute mile. They stood “fast in the Lord" and ran with endurance until the end. 

"For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.'" Romans 10:13

"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.'" John 6:40

And while only a small number of people will ever be able to run a sub-four minute mile, everyone who "calls on the name of the Lord" can and "shall be saved." That means "that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him" will have everlasting life and can know with certainty that their name is listed in the most important place it could ever be listed... in the Book of Life. 

"And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15

So, if you have not made the decision to accept Jesus as your Savior, don't wait another minute to do it my friend. The Bible is very clear that "anyone not found written in the Book of Life" will be cast into the fire for eternity. But those who choose to trust in Jesus, thereby choosing to have their names written in the “Book of Life,” will be raised up at the last day. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible that shows us that the only way to eternal life is through faith in Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to understand that life is short and that there will be no second chance to accept Jesus after death. Knowing the fate that awaits all those who die and whose names are not in the Book of Life, give us boldness to preach the Good News and to implore the lost to be reconciled back to God before it’s too late. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!