There are so many parallels between physical running and life. Let’s consider in this article our course maker and what He provides to ensure our success as a runner.

God is our course creator, the master of directing a path and measuring our steps. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

Can you picture God at His drawing board, taking such great care in the way He plans for you and being delighted by the perfection of that plan? Every direction He takes us intersects perfectly in His master drawing. Any hard climb, rocky terrain or sudden turn is included in His purpose.

These things will teach us how to be a better runner. As you run, pray for those things you need and know that God takes note of those requests. He will send you by a shady path when you’re overheated and tired.

He will give you a challenging climb when your mind starts to drift. He will guide you to water when you are depleted. Know that your prayers move God! Trust the course creator. He doesn’t make mistakes. Remember that He already sent His Son through the hardest course ever known to man.

What a reigning champion to look to! Jesus Christ, the same today as yesterday and forevermore. Jesus had His weak moments throughout His race as well. Two we know of: once after fasting alone in the desert for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-11) and again in the Garden of Gethsemane until His arrest and eventual crucifixion. Christ felt the lowest that any man could ever feel; He suffered the mental and physical pain of torture and the spiritual pain of all the sins of the world. Yet He prevailed over sin. His testimony is proof to us that we can be an overcomer through God in any difficulty. He gave so much help for us in His Word. The Bible is the best runner’s instructional to ever be written.

We also enjoy the benefits of God’s precious and faithful Spirit- His voice that comes to comfort us when we are weary and directs our steps. That gentle prodding to keep good form when we begin to lag behind, the correction when we veer from the trail or balk at what lies ahead. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21) How can we fail if we use the tools God has provided?

Another priceless commodity is our running coach, our God-called pastor. The mouthpiece for the course creator, he spurs us on in our run toward eternity. How many times do we hear our coach calling out times from his stop watch, noting where we need to speed up and keep pace and where we need to conserve our strength for the run ahead. The ministry are the ones faithfully working with the runners, keeping us on schedule. They make the race practical for us. They get out there and do the hard runs with us, telling us how to keep better form, reminding us of the things we know but may have let slip in the heat of the run. Sometimes they are there with a cold drink of water to refresh us and at times they provide a stern talk if we feel like stopping. How faithful he is to each runner!

A good runner sees his coach as a blessing, not a bother. He knows no success without a great coach. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” (Romans 13:4)

When he led the children of Israel, Moses worked to coach a bunch of weak runners. They whined and spoke against their leader time and time again. How narrow-minded and small their vision was. They complained of their diet, the distance they had to go and at times stomped away from the race with the petulance of children. Because of their unfaithfulness many of them never reached their destination.

Use your coach for your help, trust the course creator and finish your race in victory!

By R. Smith