Jeri's Journal

My last blog article recounted my spectacular loss in our work’s charitable RC car race, which I ran with my good friend and co-worker, Mary. In my story, I related my loss and the subsequent prize that I won for “Worst Driver” to our propensity as humans to lose the battle over sin, yet win because of Christ’s grace. Mary’s story is a different angle on the same theme. Her story is about truly winning the race. In our competition, Mary proved to be the better racer. In the New Testament, our walk with Christ is often compared to the running of a race:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:24)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 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.
(Hebrews 12:1-2)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:12-14)

In our race, Mary’s competitive spirit kicked in and she steadfastly tried to keep on track—her eyes on the finish line. As I zigged and zagged my way around the track, getting hopelessly lost under chairs and running into spectators, she did a much better job of staying within the lines. Sadly, many of us as believers run the race much like I ran that RC car—carelessly and without regard for the boundaries that the Lord has marked out for us. Our striving after worldly goals run us off-course from our initial desire to win at the real race that Christ has called us to. Too often, we find ourselves in the midst of life’s trials and confusions, running in circles and forfeiting the precious time that we have to get it right and win the race with honor. Mary was not only the most worthy racer in our little competition, but she is also a winner at what matters most.

Mary has faced unimaginable challenges in her life. Yet the story of Christ’s love and redemption shines through in a faith that has been tested through the crucible. Just this past year, she has endured her husband’s cancer and subsequent surgery (successful, thank God) and the prognosis of a condition that predisposes him to future outbreaks; the loss of her mother-in-law; severe family trials; personal health issues (one requiring surgery); and the declining health of her mother. On top of all that stress, she and her husband have been struggling against some very difficult financial issues, which have prompted her to take on an extra job to somehow catch up. Co-workers have commented to me that Mary is such a strong person, because of the way she keeps a good attitude and perseveres. I find in this an opportunity to suggest to them that rather, it is her strong faith that gets her through.

Through every trial, Mary’s faith has been found on-track. It’s not that she is perfect. She struggles just like the rest of us, but she continually re-focuses on the prize. In Christ, she finds the strength to keep moving forward. In Christ, she knows that no matter what the outcome is in this world, in Him she is a winner.

All Scriptures NIV