The most beautiful race ...

After a 20 hour bus ride over night and the sacrifice of time, money and leaving the family in Joburg, I arrived in the mother city with the beautiful Table Mountain looming majestically over the city. I walked thru the streets, passing the Kasteel and made it to the Good Hope Centre, where my buddy and fellow runner Graham fetched me. A lovely drive to Silvermine, a pleasant meal with the Foxtons and their extended family and then back to Newlands where we slept over. Having strained my hamstring on Wednesday it was stretching, deep heat and much prayer. Imagine not being able to run, although I knew coming that that might be my reality this time. I awoke from a dream that it was 6:08 and I was still in Joburg... but praise the Lord I was still very much in Newlands with the sound of the pa and music already playing from a few blocks up. Dressed, stretched and nervously walked to the start. Lighten up Jono, said my two buds but it was hard. The atmosphere was amazing and I just got to the start in time and in doing so stubbed my foot on the pavement and felt the hamstring jab with pain... Oh well let me start the race, run a km or 2 and turn round and support. My dream wasn't going to happen... but as I ran very slowly and carefully with much prayer I found myself at the 3km mark and just couldnt turn back now. Felt so strong apart from the leg and had to hold back. At about the half way mark the crowds were awesome, the sun was up, and I was still going and passing many ailing runners. Up the hilly section comfortably with crowds shouting, 'go Jonathan!' as our names were largely displayed. If I can keep going slowly, then I should be able to limp to the finish line in time before the terrible cut off gun. Coming into the final stadium section the atmosphere was magical, like so many comrades I had watched, 'go Jonathan, just a few metres to go', the strangers shouted and clapped and finally the finish line! The feeling of accomplishment and joy, the grabbing the medal and the thankyou prayers! So grateful to have run, and yes I could have done it way quicker but there is a next time....
So much of running like the race of life. What a privilege to be running God's race with a personal relationship all the way. How He carries us and does miracles for us. How the crowds cheer and as we approach the finish where the Father waits in glory for us, the great crowd of witnesseses cheer. So many have gone before me. Whether we run in sprinting, or with a limp and clutching our hamstrings, God assures us that by His grace we will make it!
To those of you who have raced a long distance and know what I mean, or those who haven't, the real thing that counts is how are you running the race of life, who with, and will the Father be awaiting you with a smile and reward, or are you off the course only to miss the finish line?
I am living it... the most beautiful race in the world...vasbyt...dont quit!!!!