In a story titled “Twin Cities Marathon pacers do the math, carry the flag and help runners reach their goals” posted yesterday, the writer said:
Thousands of runners hit the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday chasing personal goals.
Some were trying for their fastest time. Others were running their first. And some were just trying to make it to the finish line.
But 30 runners winding the 26.2 miles from downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul weren’t focused on setting their own records. They were there to help other runners reach their own goals, volunteering as part runner, part coach and part human metronome.
They’re called pacers, and they carefully keep track of each mile, making sure they’re running an even split. As the name implies, they help runners keep pace…
Before pacers can convince anyone else to keep going, they have to make sure they're going the right speed themselves.
That means a lot of math and regularly checking their paceband — a printed wristband with the mile splits they need to hit — against their actual time. Some pacers even note on their paceband changes in elevation and bathroom locations, which can prove helpful for runners.
Erin Manthey, a math professor from Apple Valley, said like most pacers, she constantly compares her pace with mile markers and her watch. If she gets too far ahead or falls behind, she makes tiny adjustments during the following mile.
And, you know, in the same way experienced runners serve as pacers to help less experienced or new runners make it to the finish line, it's the job of every believer to live in such a way to be able to say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” and, in doing so, serve as spiritual pacers.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
Because of this, Paul knew that he wasn't the one setting the pace. Jesus was. And Paul wanted to be so "in step with the Spirit" that he considered himself dead to his own desires and living only to please the Father--something that included being a spiritual pacer intent on leading as many people as he could along the path to the final finish line…
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8
Helping them to run in such a way that they would receive "the crown of righteousness" which the Lord would give to Paul "on that day" he successfully completed his race. But not only to Paul, "but also to all who have longed for his glorious appearing.”
So, check your pace consistently and check it often to ensure that you're in step with the Spirit my friend. This will allow you to make immediate adjustments when needed so that you will not only stay on pace with Jesus, but will be able to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” and lead others to the finish line.
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible that serves as our paceband. Help us to read it and to commit it to memory so we can check each of our steps against it and not only avoid going off course but helping others avoid it as well. Lord, help us to follow the example of Jesus (the ultimate Pacer) so close that we can say "Follow me as I follow Christ" and won't have to worry whether our example will disqualify those who look to us as pace setters. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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