Racing Toward the Target

In high school and college, I used to love to run. When my wife and I moved to Tuba City on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona, I had some great runs. Living in that small town, which rose up 5,000 feet in elevation on the western edge of the reservation near the Grand Canyon, in the magnificent Painted Desert, I had opportunities for spectacular runs. Sometimes I would run a loop around the town, maybe down to the Hopi Indian village of Moenkopi, or simply into the quiet desert. And sometimes, my wife would drop me off in the desert and I would run home.
One time my wife dropped me off on the side of the road 20 miles from town in the tranquil desert. The road rose and fell with the desert, twisting around canyons and dry washes before it turned into a long straight stretch of hot pavement that seemed to go on forever. On a 15-20 mile run by yourself it is easy to get discouraged and become disheartened. Standing on the sand covered shoulder of the road, knowing the distance that needs to be covered, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, feel tired and fatigued and beaten. It is easy to get discouraged when you are alone with no one pushing you to reach your goal.
Sometimes it’s hard to race toward your goal when you’re running uphill for 2 miles. It’s hard to keep your sights on the your target when you can not see it. It’s hard to keep going when you are alone, in the desert and the sun is starting to set, your lungs are burning, your legs are getting heavier, your feet are blistering, your shins are throbbing and you know there are still several hills and miles to go. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep going toward your target.
Sometimes it is easy to get discouraged. It’s easy to get discouraged when we’re shoveling snow, waiting to hear about a job interview or the results of medical tests. In our moment of discouragement, we have to keep our eyes fixed on our intended goal. We have to head toward the target; we have to press on toward the goal.
‘Pressing toward the goal’ is what the Apostle Paul wrote about to the people of Philippi. In his first letter to the church in Philippi, Paul pictured himself running a race. He pictured himself racing like a long distance runner with bulging veins, straining every nerve and muscle, exerting every ounce of strength in his body, straining, and extending himself so that he would not fall short of the goal. Paul’s goal was to live a life that was pleasing to God in every way.
Paul knew the race of faithfulness he wanted to run. He was determined to reach his goal. But getting there, Paul knew, was going to be long and difficult with many barriers popping up in his way. Each obstacle was trying to prevent him from reaching his goal. But Paul kept his eyes fixed on heaven. Paul kept following Jesus Christ, His words, His teachings, His example, despite the ongoing pressure to give in. Paul struggled to remain faithful, despite being put in prison. He battled to remain true, despite floggings and beatings. Paul remained faithful, keeping the goal targeted in his mind as he raced onward, toward his goal and ultimate victory.
Prizefighter, James J. Corbett once was asked, “What is the most important thing to become champion?” Corbett replied, “Fight one more round.”
“Fighting one more round, pressing on toward the goal” is the secret for success in living a life of faithfulness. Thomas Gray, the great English poet, wrote 75 drafts of, “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” before he was satisfied with it. When it was published, it quickly became a poetic masterpiece.
George Gershwin composed almost 100 melodies before he sold his first one. During his first five years as a writer, Zane Grey could not sell a single story. It’s easy to become discouraged. It’s easy to feel like giving up. I have noticed there are many people who see only the obstacles looming in their path, and not the goal beyond it. Therefore, they never reach their goal. I have also noticed that successful people keep their eyes fixed on their target. They see their goal and the hope that lies beyond the obstacles. They press on toward their target. For they know that the victory goes to those who are willing to fight just ‘one more round!’ This Lent, don’t give up. Press on toward your goal. The rewards are out of this world!