God, this hurts but I have hope.....

I have decided that I don't like running much. Oh sure, if I'm snatching an old lady's purse I might be inclined to flee the scene or something like that. (disclaimer: I have never snatched an old lady's purse nor do I plan to.) A few weeks ago my wife and I ran a 5k race that benefits a cause that is close to our hearts, and since I hate running I didn't train at all for the race. To be more specific, running for me is when I sprint across the hot sand with my surfboard under my arm so I don't burn my feet.

The last time I ran more than a quarter of a mile was at the 4th of July 5k ,which I also didn't train for, but none the less, there I was. I do much better when I run these things with the help of an iPod blasting loud music in my ears because the sound of my breathing really scares me. I sound like an overweight wildabeast running from a lion. This particular morning I had no loud music so there I was with nothing but my trusty watch letting me know many minutes I had until my untimely demise.

There was a point on the course where I came around a bend and saw the tents at the finish line. Once I saw the tents I got this renewed energy because I had a goal. If I sprinted for the remainder of the race I would be done with it sooner so I took off. I was running with my friend Eric who is one of those crazy people that runs for pleasure and even he was astonished at my sudden burst of energy. I crossed the finish line dry heaving and went over to a grassy area to puke. (By the way, I finished the race in 25:30 or so but I don't know exactly because I was a little distracted.)

I relive this horrifying memory because sometimes I think life is like that race. It is difficult, painful and sometimes involves puking, but one day it will end. I am a Christian, but I am also human and therefore I get weighed down by the burdens of life and sometimes praying doesn't seem to work. I try to draw closer to God but I can't see past my hardships. Just as seeing a glimpse of the finish line complete with the Cliff Bar samples and the orange slices gives me the strength to press on, seeing a glimpse of heaven does the same thing for my race though life.

The Apostle John writes this of heaven in the book of Revelation (21:3:7) "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'

He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, ' Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.'

He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.'"

To me these words bring comfort because one day I won't live in a world that is decaying, that is filled with pain, death and darkness. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me (John 14:2) and the day I cross the finish line of life I will receive the greatest reward of all.