Author Joni Eareckson Tada, in her
book “Overcoming Adversity,” wrote about a volunteer at her ministry, “Joni and
Friends,” named Clay. He cheerfully
packed boxes and stuffed envelopes and just generally offered himself and his
time wherever it was needed.
However, Clay’s passion is
running. During cross-country season
Clay didn’t volunteer many hours of service.
Every hour he wasn’t in school, he was out running. The folks at Joni’s ministry would report
seeing Clay out running in the wee hours of the morning, piling up the miles.
When she had the chance, Joni asked
Clay a question that had been on her mind for a long time: what is the most
difficult part of a long-distance run?
She thought that it would be either the first mile or so as the runner
is getting mentally prepared to run a great distance or at the end, when you
body is exhausted and you feel like you can’t run another step.
Clay’s answer surprised Joni. He told her it was the middle portion of the
run, “when you’re out of range of those cheering voices at the start and finish
lines. It’s that long, grey, middle
distance that saps your strength and your will.
Life has been likened to a
long-distance race. As you read, you
might feel like the race has been a lot tougher than you imagined it would
be. A health problem, financial struggles,
self-esteem issues can all seem like reasons for giving up.
If you’re in need of refreshment for
the race called “life,” be sure to read Psalm 42 carefully. Hope in the Lord leads to praise. Love from the Lord leads to prayer. Verses five and 11 seem like a refrain worth
singing: Put your hope in God, for I will
yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
