Endurance and Encouragement

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 ESV

There is a symmetry between endurance and encouragement. Endurance is the voice from within that says, "Don't give up." and "I'm not going to quit!" Encouragement is the voice from without which says, "Keep going!" and "You can do this!"

As a runner (in recovery) I know the value of both. I particularly think of the county road relay races. A relay is different from an ordinary race in that your team mates rather than running at the same time as you, if they have finished their race, stand at the sides of the course and cheer for you as you run past. Coming round the last bend of the course you dig deep into your reserves of endurance for a last kick for the line, and at the same time receive the encouragement from those who have finished their race who shout at you to finish strong!

It is like that for those who are running the good race of faith. Everything that happened in the past serves for our instruction and encouragement. All those who have finished their race are now part of the great cloud of witnesses who silently cheer us on as we run our own race of faith.

The best way to honour those who have finished their race is to pick up the baton and to run ours.

[Originally posted to Facebook 19/03/18]