“It’s a Marathon”
Philippians 3:13-14
 

Praise the Lord, we are together to Praise the Lord!

We started this Covid-19 experience, back in March thinking we were on a two week hiatus. Four months later we realize it is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. I am not a runner, in fact, I would do almost any other sport except running. But I did do some research and for those people who do like running and are thinking about taking on a marathon, most marathon training plans range from 12 to 20 weeks. Based on that information, I would say we have completed the training period for this pandemic, now we should be ready to take on the distance. 

Or are we? 

Less than 1 percent of the American public run either a full or half marathon. There is a reason why only a few people actually make it to running the marathon. 

Mort Nace, the general manager of Medved Runing and Walking Outfitters describes it like this,”Running a marathon is one of those epic milestones, the distance is a challenge, especially that second half. What it takes goes well beyond being physically prepared.”

He’s got that right. The distance is a challenge, especially that second half, and what it takes goes well beyond being physically prepared.

This sounds a lot like life, even before the pandemic. We all have had days when the miles stretch long and we feel like there is no way we are going to make it to the finish line, especially if we have made it to the second half. That place in the race when you have pretty much depleted all of your reserves and you are running on instinct and shear determination. That is the time when you need encouragement. 
If you have ever watched a marathon, you would see signs of encouragement, especially along the route. 
One such sign might be, 
“Focus on how far you’ve run, not how far you have to go,” or 
“Warning! Awesome sense of accomplishment ahead! 
Or how about, 
“Pain is temporary, finishing is forever!” 

There is not one marathon runner who has finished a marathon and done so, all by themselves. The training leading up to the run involves a significant time commitment that alters your schedule, workout regime, sleeping and eating habits. Everyone around you is affected and needs to be supportive. 

There are many examples from the Bible of great men and women of faith who were in the midst of the marathons of life, and who needed encouragement. 
The place where they found their strength from the LORD was when they were on their knees. 

Just think about Moses, he was doing just fine tending his father-in-laws sheep, out in Midian. He had really messed things up while living in Egypt and had managed to get past his mistakes. God shows up in a burning bush and Moses, on his knees, was encouraged to return to Egypt and lead Israel to freedom. Moses messes up again and doesn’t make it to the Promised land but he had been training the next leader, Joshua. Who also needs encouragement when they get to the Promised Land and discover it is inhabited by giants. Then there is one of my favorite women of faith, Queen Esther. It was divine choice that she was placed on her throne, at the very time the children of Israel were facing genocide. Her decision to speak up for her family and friends was at the possibility of losing her own life. 
God used her uncle to give her encouragement when he said, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Who knows? God knows. 

We still need to hear from the LORD today. We too need fresh encouragement for our journey. Now we could rely on our uncles to offer encouragement, if they are still alive, or we could take time to receive it straight from the Lord. 
Paul puts it well in his letter to the Philippians, chapter 3, verses 12-21. You will find a copy of this passage in your bulletin. I am reading from “The Message.” 
Focused on the Goal
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: 
By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. 
If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
May God bless the Holy reading of His Word.
Keeping focused on the goal. That goal is a relationship with Jesus that provides peace, and courage to continue the race set before us. We are guaranteed moments in our life that we will feel like we are in a marathon. Jesus told this to his disciples in John 16:33, I am reading from the New Living Translation, 
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus said He told His disciples “all this so that [they] my have peace in [Him].” 
What was the “this” He was telling them, so they would have peace? I want to know, I want the same peace.  
When you look back at chapters 14-16 you discover Jesus was telling them how to train for this marathon. Jesus knew it wasn’t going to be a cake walk. His disciples thought, like most of the Israelites, that the Messiah was going to come down and demonstrate His King of Kingship with power and might. They were sure that when the Messiah arrived, their freedom from the Roman government would be history. They did have part of the Messiah thing correct. He is King of Kings and He is capable of immediately taking over any government. However, that is not how God works. Jesus said He was teaching His disciples, not so they would be able to conquer the oppression they were experiencing, He said He was teaching them so that they would have “peace.” 
That’s the goal, 
Peace. 
Peace while we run this marathon called life. Jesus spent time on earth, and teaching His disciples to run the marathon, in peace. If you are interested in knowing the details on how to train for this marathon, I suggest taking time to read chapters 14-16 of the Gospel of John this week. Right now I will give you the “Cliff Notes” of what Jesus had to say. In order to train for running the marathon with peace which Jesus instructed:
Remember Jesus is the way to the Father
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit
Jesus gave an example of how we are the branches attached to Jesus the vine. If we are not bearing fruit, we will be pruned, and to remember, apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.
Jesus reminded His disciples that the world will hate them, just like it hated Him.
Jesus explained how the Holy Spirit will be their advocate and give them the truth so that they have support along the way.
 Jesus reminded them that their grief would turn to joy.
If you have ever watched someone cross the finish line of a marathon, somehow for a moment, the exhaustion and pain is forgotten. There is an expression of joy, not a happy type of joy, but a joy of success, of completion, of somehow all the training, all the pain was worth it. 

Take heart, be encouraged, keep running, keep your eyes on the prize, keep your eyes on Jesus. When we keep looking up, instead of around us, when we turn to God’s Word instead of to the world for answers, we find peace. 
When it seems like you cannot take one more step remember Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
We are in a marathon, and we have the winner by our side. Let’s continue to run this race with Jesus. 
Let’s pray.