Run with Endurance: Finishing the Race
- Richard Selke
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
October 1, 2025
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Sometimes God uses unexpected moments to teach us eternal truths. I never thought I would encounter one of those lessons at a college track meet.
Years ago, my friend Rock and I took our daughters to the finals of the Southwest Conference Track & Field Championships at Rice University.
I don’t usually care to watch distance races run on a track. Boredom sets in fairly quickly. The runners go round and round as the crowd yawns in anticipation of the next sprint event or the distraction of field events like the shotput, high jump and pole vault.
But that day I learned a profound life lesson from a runner in a distance race. I don’t know his name, nor do I remember the school he represented. But what I do remember, I will never forget.
This young man had been injured in the preliminary heat in which he had qualified for this final race that would determine the Conference champion. He started strong and, after sticking with the lead pack for a while, began to fade. He slowed down dramatically and was lapped by the competition. But he kept on running.
Eventually all the other runners finished. But he kept on running. His unwillingness to stop inspired the crowd, and they cheered him on.
As he ran alone, he passed some track officials who yelled for him to stop. But he kept on running. And the crowd cheered him on.
The next time around, some officials stood in his way to block his path, but he ran around them, and kept on running. And the crowd cheered him on.
On the next lap, one official even grabbed him. He shrugged him off, and kept on running. And the crowd cheered him on.
Finally, the officials backed off. The young man ran several more laps until he crossed the finish line. And when he did, the crowd went wild!
This runner had trained, worked, dreamed, sweated and competed to reach this final event. Even if he couldn’t win, he was going to give it everything he had. He would not quit. He kept running until he finished the race.
I suppose it was frustrating for the officials, who were eager to get on to the next event. But those who were paying attention saw something unforgettable: a young man who, in spite of injury, setbacks and discouragement, refused to give up. He kept on running and finished the race set before him.
The Bible speaks directly to this kind of perseverance. The apostle Paul often used running as a metaphor for life with Christ. He talks about finishing the race, winning the prize and the crowds who cheer us on:
Paul tells Timothy: “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 …” 2 Timothy 4:7-8a, NIV
He tells the Philippians: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own … I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3:12-14, ESV
And the writer of Hebrews tells us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV
Maybe you feel like you’re limping through life right now. Maybe you’ve been knocked down by loss, discouragement or failure. But like that runner, you can keep going – because Jesus Christ has already run before you and secured the victory.
I’ll never know this runner’s name. But I thank God for him and the lesson he taught me: Don’t give up! Keep running! Finish the race!
That runner didn’t win a prize that day – a ribbon, medal or trophy. But he showed what real victory looks like. I believe that when his life’s race is done, his true prize will be waiting for him – not handed to him by some race official, but by the Lord Himself.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, He has already finished the race and secured the crown.
Now He calls us to keep running faithfully until we see Him face to face!
QUESTIONS
Where in your life are you tempted to give up? How can you look to Jesus for the strength to keep running?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You that You have gone before us and finished the race. Strengthen us when we are weary, give us courage when obstacles block our path and help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. May we run with endurance the race set before us until the day we see You face to face.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, ESV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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