Marathon Conclusion (6 of 6)

Image via Wikipedia

Winning The Gold

You’re running out ahead now and coming to the last stretch….You hear the pounding of feet behind you….  How close are they?…You want to look back….For a runner, looking back is and expensive motion.   It is a twist of the body that wrecks your form and forward momentum. It can be fatal to your race.  Paul said, “forgetting that which is behind I press on to the prize”.

It’s a real temptation to look back.  Nice memories remembered and mused about is one thing, but letting what happened in the past stop you from going forward, that’s another thing. When a Christian does not let the past go, holding on to those things of the past in the now, he is pulled back into it.

Our enemy dredges up our past failures, and tries to get us back in the guilt and depression.   He reminds us of grudges and past hurts to re-ignite the bitterness. He shows you how incapable and undeserving of victory you are. If he can get you to agree with him, he’s got you in the prison of the past, sitting in the now, and you won’t be going anywhere…let alone running.

What we’ve got to remember is this: If we asked for forgiveness of our past, we are completely forgiven.  Turn it 100% over to God and you are in total victory.  It has nothing to do with feelings it is FACT. It doesn’t depend on the circumstance around you, they are neutral.  It is how you think  about it that makes it a positive or a negative.  To God everything is a positive and he can work any situation for your good. Negative is always defeat and positive is always victory.  When you turn any situation over to God, He is then free to make it into victory.   If you don’t turn it over, and choose to agonize and worry about it, God’s hands are tied in the whole matter, but Satan is unobstructed.

Looking back at victories can hold you back as well.  Many people live in: if onlys; we’ve always done it this way; and the good old days.  One can not go forward and still live back there.  The past may have been good but the winner’s line is out in front not behind.  Every day has new possibilities and looking ahead expectantly is what motivates us to run this marathon with exuberance, commitment and determination.

As Christians we are all enrolled in this Marathon.  I wish I could tell you that everyone is going to win the Gold Medal but I can’t.  I can tell you, however, the good news, that winning is entirely up to you and you have the ability to do it.

Picture it:  Now you’re straining for that last stride, the ribbon breaks against your chest!  Victory! Victory! VICTORY! The great cloud of witnesses cheer wildly!! And then you see him… It’s really HIM!  It’s Jesus!  His hair is white as snow, His robe shines so bright it’s almost blinding!  His eyes are like flames of fire!  You fall at His feet in total awe! He raises you to your feet and embraces you.  He slides the golden medal, hanging on a golden cord, around your neck.  It’s engraved,

“WELL  DONE  MY  GOOD  AND  FAITHFUL  SERVANT”

Winona Cole

Advertisement