10 Days of Prayer: Daily Reflection (Day 10)

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 May 2012 11:13

26 May: Persevere to the end

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Daniel 3

Hebrews 12: 1 - 13

Luke 9: 51 - 62

Pray resolutely for the coming of God’s kingdom in our parishes and diocese, in our nation, and in the wider world.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Canon Keith Hale

Area Dean of Tankersley

Keep on Running

You may have heard the story of John Stephen Akhwari, the marathon runner from Tanzania who finished last at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. No last-place finisher in a marathon ever finished quite so last.

Injured along the way, he hobbled into the stadium with his leg bloodied and bandaged. It was more than an hour after the rest of the runners had completed the race. Only a few spectators were left in the stands when Akhwari finally crossed the finish line.

When asked why he continued to run despite the pain, Akhwari replied: ‘My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me here to finish.’

The attitude of that athlete ought to be same attitude that we should have as we seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, our pioneer, who has gone before us.

We are also exhorted to ‘keep our eyes fixed on Him.’ This thought immediately brings into my mind the story of Peter walking on the water towards Jesus (in Matthew 14:29).  All went well - at first. Peter actually did what he had seen Jesus doing, until he focussed more on the challenge of his surroundings and, in doing that, took his eyes off Jesus. Then, and only then, did he start to sink.

We live in a world where there are so many distractions and it will never be an easy option to follow Jesus. Following Jesus will inevitably involve some situations where you might be called to make a stand and go against the flow. Sometimes you might even feel like giving it all up. I’m sure that even Jesus felt like that sometimes but “for the joy that was set before Him” He endured to the end.

The ‘joy that was set before him’ wasn’t merely the knowledge that He himself would personally rise from the dead; the ‘Joy’ that kept Jesus going throughout the horrors of Holy Week was the knowledge that He was doing it all for you and not Himself. He did it so that you would receive the honour and glory of the victor’s crown on the last day.

But between now and then:

Ask Jesus to help you today.

Ask Jesus to fill you again with the Holy Spirit.

Thank Jesus that He has promised to be with you every step of the way in your journey and recognise that He is there with you as your help and strength even today.