“The Middle Mile”
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: They say that the middle of a race, or the (middle mile) is the hardest and most challenging for any runner. For one year as a freshman at Lloyd High School, I ran cross country. There was a reason that I only ran one year, it was painful! That (middle mile) of the race presents pain, the mind and body are challenged to the brink. You are now far away from the start of the race, and the finish line is still a great distance off. So your mind starts to get weary and your body is hurting. They call this, hitting the wall. Above, we see the Word of God compares us living for God, and avoiding sin, as in running in a race. No champion runner would ever carry extra weight and expect to win any race. As Christians, we have a race set before us, a goal, a prize! Remember when you first got saved? The start of the race, Jesus was so real, the newness of serving God, you were on fire, ready to win the race! But now, the newness has wore off, the adrenaline not like it was, you are far from the starting gate. The finish line a long way off, and now you are hurting, in pain. The trials of life, cares of this world, and maybe sin are weighing you down and hindering your ability to run! In this journey being a Christian, in your race, you have hit a wall. You find yourself in the (Middle Mile) and the wall seems like a mountain. Child of God, don’t quit! Jesus still moves mountains! Run your race with patience, wait on God. Stay in the race, fight a good fight! Right around the next bend Jesus may give you the fresh breath from heaven you need to keep going, HE always does! As you get closer to the end of your race, as heaven comes into view and the finish line is just in sight; you will find renewed strength, a burst of energy you never knew you had. You will think back on all the times God’s power and grace helped you through the tough times in your race. Christian friend, keep going and finish your race. Jesus is waiting on you at the finish line! May the Lord give you the strength you need today to have victory! Bro. Lawrence Longworth Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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