How To Run Well...Continued from page 4

Veteran coach Jack Daniels works with athletes ranging from beginning fitness runners to Olympic contenders. He may recommend a variety of training techniques depending on the runner. However, Coach Daniels trains all of his athletes to concentrate. Why concentrate? Most runners will admit that they let their minds drift during long training runs. Coach Daniels argues that without proper concentration a runner will not achieve peak performance. He notes, "You can't run your best unless you focus on what you're doing."7

The same holds true in the Christian life. To run the race of faith and to run it well requires that we keep the main thing the main thing. We must keep our focus on the Lord. In the first part of verse 2 we read, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . . . " When did you last watch an artisan at work? Just as a painter will carefully concentrates on the object to be depicted in her painting, and just as a sculptor focuses on the model he is sculpting, we must fix our eyes on the model and mentor of our faith.8

To become peak performers in the race of faith, we must fix our eyes on the Greatest Runner. He is the "author" of our faith because he is the originator, founder and pioneer.9 He is also the "perfecter" of our faith, for he is the victorious first-place finisher. Not only does Jesus call us to follow in his steps, he also runs with us by his indwelling Spirit, and he will greet us at the finish line when we victoriously complete our race of faith.

Of course, some may wonder why Jesus would run his race if he knew it would result in a death march up Mount Calvary. Perhaps the second part of verse 2 tells us why. It refers to the Greatest Runner, " . . . who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Do we realize that what motivated Jesus was the joy set before him ? a future joy he would share with countless fellow runners to come?

Joy awaited him in eternity in heaven. But his love for each of us led him to trudge up that hard-packed, rocky trail on Mount Calvary one Friday noon. Jesus was willing to endure excruciating and unspeakable suffering, even death on the cross. Further, he scorned its shame, meaning that the humiliation and horror of the cross would not deter his decision. In his view, his pain was inconsequential compared to our gain. The Greatest Runner conquered Mount Calvary. He fulfilled his ultimate goal. Today he beckons us to train hard, to run well and to finish strong. He proclaims, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne" (Rev. 3:21).

Growing Perseverance

For most of us, when we begin a running program, things go well at first. But inevitably other things happen ? things that can derail our desire or discipline. What are these "things"? Boredom. Plateaus. Soreness. Injuries. These and more will test our patience and perseverance to stay the course. Here is where an encouraging mentor and fellow runner can help keep us on track.