Don’t Ever Give Up

“For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 BSB

In a nearly unbelievable story published by BBC News on Monday, it was reported that a 46-year-old amateur runner from East Sussex set a new women's world record after running 173m (278km) in 24 hours. Sarah Webster, from Rottingdean, in East Sussex, won gold at the world championships in France on Saturday and was one of three female runners to break the previous 24-hour record of 168m (270km). Impressive right?

Ms Webster said: "Part of me wanted to stop as soon as I got the record but I knew if I stopped the Australian and the Japanese girls were behind me… and they could overtake me." Believe it or not, the race in France was only Webster's second 24-hour race.

Speaking on her way home from the race, which began in the French town of Albi, she said: "The first four hours was probably hardest, mentally getting into it, thinking 'this hurts' and I've got another 20 hours to run, and this is not good. But then you get into your pace a bit more, get some food on board, and then the night goes quite quickly… The last four hours was really hard… but at that point I knew I was potentially on for records and I couldn't give up then."

As Webster alluded to, this long distance race had its ebbs and flows and times when she felt like pressing on and times when she felt like giving up. This is true in the spiritual race of life as well. Hence the reason the race of life is commonly referred to as a marathon rather than a 5k. It takes steadfast determination, grit, and a burning passion to serve Christ until we cross that final finish line.

‘“Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones,three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV

You see, as Paul came to understand, the life of a believer will not be an easy one, which is the very reason Jesus told us to count the costs (Luke 14:28) before taking up our crosses and following Him. Thankfully, the majority of followers will never be imprisoned, flogged, given forty lashes minus one, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, shipwrecked three times, in constant danger, deprived of sleep, know great hunger or thirst, be subjected to cold and nakedness, and, on top of all that, face daily pressure for their concern for the churches. But we will all have trouble, nonetheless (John 16:33). Jesus was very clear about that. In fact, the closer we follow Christ, the more opposition we will generally face.

And while our troubles and afflictions might seem as large and long-lasting as Paul’s at the time we are experiencing them, in the grand scheme of things and in light of eternity, they are as “light and momentary” as Paul’s were. Which means we should always resist the urge to give up when the weight of it all seems too much to bear.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV

And we can do this best when we remember that “Christ’s power” rests on us. Do you get that? God’s grace can and will sustain you and me through all our troubles. That is why, for Christ’s sake, we should delight in our weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties. This attitude not only helps us power through the hard times (joy has been scientifically shown to help us endure pain) but displays the power of Christ at work in us…. For when we are weak, then we are strong.

So, if you’re growing tired from all the hours, days, or even months of running the race, take heart my friend. It may not seem like it now, but one day you’ll look back and see just how light and momentary your troubles were compared with “the eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.” In other words" a future eternal reward that is far greater and more significant than any earthly suffering we will ever experience is awaiting all those who don’t give up.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it clear that all those who follow You will encounter troubles and trials. Help us to embrace these by remembering that they are producing perseverance, character, hope, and staying power in us. Remind us that there’s an eternal glory awaiting for us at the finish line that we might press on no matter what opposition we are faced with. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!