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In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes about time.
He says there is a time and season for everything under the sun.
A time to be
Born and to die
Plant and harvest
Kill and to heal
Build and tear down
Weep and to laugh
Mourn and to dance
Gather and scatter
Embrace and stand apart
Have and not have
Give and give away
Tear and sew
Silent and to talk
Love and to hate
War and Peace
In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul says,
“This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.
All that’s left now is the shouting – God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.”
II Timothy 4:7-8 The Message
In other words, he is saying I have run this race of time, and I have believed every step of the way, which is saying something considering the things he had to endure.
Lived in:
hardship
heartache
want for basic necessities
isolation
He was:
Rejected by the disciples
Stoned and left for dead
Beaten by the Romans three times
Flogged five times
Thrown into jail countless times
Mistreated
Misunderstood
Any yet, he said,
“When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.
If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus.”
II Corinthians 11:29-30 The Message
How could Paul say that when so many things were against him, and went against him?
The apostle realized life is a race of time.
“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent.
There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.
God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”
God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us – an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!
That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.”
Romans 8:12-18 The Message
1—Give your old life a decent burial and get on with your new life.
In other words, grab your hat and coat, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Leave, and never look back.
That may be easier for some than others, but it is how you win the race of time.
God, the Holy Spirit is present to guide you along the way, and a Christ-following community will help you stay true to your commitment.
2—God’s Spirit is calling. There are things to do and places to go.
In other words, there is a plan and purpose of God for you to accomplish.
It isn’t an overnight camping trip, but rather a life-long journey.
3—We experience what Jesus experienced.
Jesus is our example. His life was far more than a journey to the cross so humanity could be restored to eternal life. It was and is a template for Christ-centered living.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 5:8-10 The Message
In other words, a Christ-centered life involves temporary suffering for eternal glory.
This could be the most challenging part of winning the race because humanity has become lazy in comfort, comfortable in ease. But winning the race of time means experiencing pain and suffering.
Why?
4—A disciplined, obedient life is learned by suffering.
There is no way to candy-coat it. If you want to walk with Jesus, you will experience suffering. The saving grace is that the suffering is purpose-driven because it brings you into eternal joy.
The Apostle Paul put it this way in his letter to Christ-followers in Ephesus.
“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!
So watch your step. Use your head.
Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 The Message
In other words, winning the race of time requires a disciplined life.
5—You win the race of time by leaning into Jesus
“Now that we know what we have – Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God – let’s not let it slip through our fingers.
We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all – all but the sin.
So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 The Message
In other words, walk right up to him (in believing prayer), taking the mercy (he offers) and the help (because he has been there).
The journey is exciting, and it will be scary, but with Jesus on our side, we cannot lose for winning.
Remember, it is a (life-long) race, and we will not learn everything overnight.
Trust the Lord, surround yourself with your Christ-following community, because it will enable you to endure (and enjoy) the journey.
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am grateful to everyone willing to follow along as I take it.