Once when I was out jogging, I noticed that someone had taken chalk and written on the pavement in large letters,
The Race Goes Not Always to The Swift. . .But to Those Who Keep On Running.
Encouragement! Someone put those words there to encourage people who were running the race. Don’t give up! Keep on keeping on! There is value in the running of the race. There is victory in completing it.
Last Sunday's gospel reading reminded me of this. When Jesus sent the twelve apostles out on their mission, he let them know that not everyone would welcome them. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town" (Matthew 9:14).
Encouragement! Jesus told them that to encourage them to continue in their mission even when they were not welcomed. A friend of mine once called this "the sacrament of failure." Jesus gave his apostles permission to fail and an outward sign that would help them leave that failure behind and continue in their mission.
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews also knew there is value in running the race to its completion. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Keep us faithful always to You
Whatever the path we trod
That we might run with patience, Lord,
The race that is set before us.
And through it all may we praise Your Name,
For it is only by Your power,
That we can run with patience, Lord,
The race that is set before us.
A missionary people need encouragement to persevere in the work of Christ, especially in a time such as this. He’s in it with us. Every age and mission outpost has its challenges. If we will continue to faithfully put one foot in front of the other, Jesus will provide what is needed to endure and to transcend the challenges. When we fail while trying, he will keep us from settling into that failure and help us move on toward completion.
As my wife, Gay, once said, “Life is not about falling down. . .it’s about getting up and trying again.” Let us encourage one another to continue in the life and work of Christ.
Blessings,
The Very Rev'd Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas