Going the Distance

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

I’ve really enjoyed watching the Olympics over the past couple of weeks. I am amazed at the things that the human body can accomplish through discipline and hard work. Along with the triumphs, of course, there are always stories about those athletes who didn’t quite measure up. That description, oddly enough, is sometimes used even about the winners.

There has been a lot of discussion among sports commentators over the past few days about Usain Bolt, the runner from Jamaica who won gold medals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. While his performances were incredible and his speed absolutely astounding, particularly for so tall a man, the point focused upon by the sports pundits and bloggers has been around how Bolt “let up” at the end of the 100-meter race, speculating about what the result might have been had the young man continued to push forward all the way through to the finish instead of beginning his victory celebration before crossing the line.

Sometimes, I get similarly lazy in my spiritual walk. I might have had a particularly grueling day or week at work, and so I “cheat” a little on reading/studying Scripture and other things that I know I need to do as daily spiritual food. At other times, I may have come through a particularly trying period, and when things start to get better, it’s tempting to believe, “OK, God, I can take it from here.” There is no “taking a break” from the most important walk of our lives.

All we have to do is look at Jesus’ earthly life to know that the race - and the spiritual work that is part of it - is never finished on this side of heaven. As He was preparing his disciples for His imminent departure from this earth, He promised that He would not leave them, that His Holy Spirit would be sent to them to guide them. I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20).

The conclusion of Luke’s Gospel tells that that after Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God (Lk. 24:52-53). Just because Jesus’ earthly mission was complete didn’t mean that their work was finished – and neither is ours. As the mystical Body of Christ, we continue His work in our world. In last night’s broadcast of the 200-meter sprint, it was clear that Usain Bolt had taken the criticism of his earlier effort to heart. In that final, he went full throttle for the entire race, not only winning the gold medal, but also breaking a world record that many had believed would stand forever.

Like Bolt, we have to keep pushing forward to the finish. When the tough times come, we must not only continue our spiritual practices, but increase them, even if – and especially if – we don’t feel like it. St. Paul says that every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.... I drive my body and train it (1 Cor. 9:25, 27). So let’s keep driving ourselves, just as Paul did, so that at the end of the race, we will hear our Lord say to us, Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Master’s house (Mt. 25:23).

Prayer Request: For those suffering from physical, emotional and spiritual fatigue.

Prayer: O Lord, our God, we thank you for not leaving us to our own devices, for we know that without You, we can only go astray. When we feel tired and weary, help us to remember that You are always with us to strengthen us and refresh us, and help us remember that our rest is found in You. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.