Running the steps

This morning after I had been in the office a little while, I went upstairs to the sanctuary.  I always enjoy spending time in the sanctuary praying, which is my usual routine for a Monday morning.  When I went out the back doors, I saw a middle-aged woman jogging the stairs which lead down to the street.  We were both a little surprised to see each other but I smiled and asked if she were running the steps.  Through her panting, she said she was and I wished her good luck in her exercise.  It was a brief exchange, but one which set the tone for my day.

Those of you who come to Hillcrest know how steep the front steps are.  Running up and down those steps a couple of times would definitely tire the average person out.  Yet this woman was committed to her exercise.  She was sweating and huffing and puffing, but kept going up and down the stairs.  She ran the stairs for at least ten minutes because I could hear her from my office.  What makes a person put themselves through such physical stress?  Is she wanting to lose weight?  Is she trying to get in shape for a race?  Is she training to play the female version of "Rocky"?  Is she just a glutton for punishment?  Whatever the case may be, she was dedicated to getting up and down those stairs.

As I pondered the pounding of the steps, I began to think about how often I get sidetracked in the things God has put before me.  I always enjoy the beginning of that work, but when it isn't as enjoyable or no one encourages me, it becomes easy to quit.  I think about Paul's words to the church at Philippi when he said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  So even Paul was tempted to give up or quick when life got a little too difficult.  Yet he continued to strain and go forward, not spending his time on the past.

So my desire today is to persevere...to run the steps...to fix my eyes on the prize ahead of me.  Let me encourage you to keep moving forward.  Oh, you may barely be moving forward not able to sprint, but keep moving forward.  Remain faithful to God's calling in your life.  You will eventually get to the top of the stairs and see the fruit of your diligence.  By the way, running is easier when you have a partner.  How about calling a brother or sister today and praying with them about your race!