Last updated 11:46, Thursday, 08 May 2008

Church Comment by Margery Railton

I MAY have mentioned this before, that I was never one to cover myself in glory at sport of any kind.

I remember running for Walker House at school but wasn’t required again after the memorable occasion when I dropped the baton in the girls’ relay race.

Watching the superb performance of the gallant runners in the London Marathon, I lamented the fact that my running days were over, unless by any chance there was a local pensioners’ marathon, then I might just join (loud guffaws from husband).

I heard someone say that the first phase of one of these races is easy, even enjoyable, but the second gets progressively harder. Just like life, I thought, now that I’m well into the second phase and it does get harder.

The cheers and support of the crowds of onlookers must be of prime importance to the runners for without them there wouldn’t be the same atmosphere nor the incentive to run.

The writer to the Hebrews likens the life of faith to a race. He says that our loved ones who have gone before us and all the great saints of the Bible are there in spirit, on the sidelines, urging us on and not to give up.

When we feel life’s race is getting difficult we can remember the good old hymn “Fight the good fight” which encourages us to run the straight race through God’s good grace, to lift up our eyes and seek his face, for life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path and Christ the prize!