"You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race.  Everyone runs; one wins.  Run to win.  All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades.  You're after one that's gold eternally.  I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line.  I'm giving it everything I've got.  No sloppy living for me!  I'm staying alert and in top condition.  I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then mission out mself."

I Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)

It's May... for many, our ministry year nears an end.  It is the time when programs and events wind down.  You and your team are tired, but yet you are sprinting toward the finish line.

I was recently reminded of the movie Chariots of Fire.  The movie tells the story of Eric Liddell, who was an Olympic gold medalist and runner.  After winning the gold medal Eric speaks to a stadium filled with spectators...

"You came to see a race today.  To see someone win.  It happened to be me.  But I want you to do more than just watch a race.  I want you to take part in it.  I want to compare faith to running in a race.  It's hard.  It requires concentration of well, energy of soul.  You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it.  Maybe you haven't got a job.  So who am I to say, 'Believe, have faith" in the face of life's realities?  I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way, or his own way.  And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end?  From within.  Jesus said, 'Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.  If with all your hearts, you truly seek Me, you shall ever surely find me.'  If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race."

And beyond this, is Eric's famous quote... "I believe God made me for a purpose, but He aslo made me fast.  And when I run I feel God's pleasure."

As you sprint toward your finish line, I pray you would feel God's pleasure as He says to you, "Well done good and faithful servant."

In and By His Grace,

Colleen Nordlund