Have you ever been disappointed with the outcome of something? Or had a setback that set you back? How about wanting a second chance at something?
Life is filled with many such situations and the good thing about God is that he is a God of the second chance. With that said, though, life doesn’t always present us with “do-over’s.”
Such was the case on July 4th in Atlanta. Many championship caliber athletes as well as lesser talented participants ran the 46thAnnual Peachtree Road Race – a yearly 10K event that attracts the world’s largest number of runners for this type of an event.
This year 60,000 runners showed up. And one of the elite runners was 33-year-old Ben Payne. And he would like a do-over . . . a mulligan, if you will. But he will not be getting one.
Payne found himself comfortably in the lead with only a few feet to go. As he neared the finish line tape he eased up, pumped his fist in the air, and raised his index finger in a show of victory . . . then grimaced as another runner passed him.
Scott Overall, the other runner, beat Ben Payne to the finish line by 9/100 of a second. The margin of victory was so close that it took two hours to determine the outcome. It’s the first time in the 46 year history of the event to need a “photo finish.”
For the spectators, the finish was exciting. But for the runners the Peachtree race comes with two important lessons.
First, never give up! Never, never, never give up! Though significantly behind, Scott Overall finished strong. As runners say, he finished with a kicked . . . and lunged across the line to grab the victory. He was the victor and he would later take to Twitter by saying, “Pleased to take the win today . . . always run through the line!”
Second, never celebrate too early! Or, never coast to the finish line. Or, every second counts. Ben Payne declared himself the winner before anyone else did. And for that, he tragically came in second. He knew better but instead his celebration was one of disappointment, tears, and regret. Payne’s likely to never forget this lesson from July 4, 2015.
Ben Payne will run another day as will Scott Overall. Both men are champions. There will be no “do-over” but both can run again with lessons learned.
Are you a champion? While you and I may not run the Peachtree, the Boston Marathon, the Olympics or any other road race, we are nonetheless in a race – the race of faith. Here are a few scriptures that I hope will help you to finish strong!
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1)
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (2)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.” (3)
Life is not a race course for demonstrating the force of our will to make it. It’s a course for showing how Jesus Christ takes yielded people – people like you and me – who will run the race for Him!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (4)
Running with you to win!
–Pastor John
(1) – 1 Corinthians 9:24
(2) – Philippians 3:14
(3) – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
(4) – Hebrews 12:1-2