Jimbo's Jots

I could say that I’m too old to run. My body does not want to go through the physical exertion that would require moving at a faster pace. I used to run and actually enjoyed it. There was a time when I felt I was accomplishing goals of setting a faster pace or going farther within a 30 minute clock. Today, not so much!

One of the speakers at the Harbor: Pepperdine Lectures was talking about living in Boston while completing her PhD. She and her husband lived on the route of the Boston Marathon, mile marker 23.2. She continued on with her story of talking about the runners at this stage of the race. Many by this time are experiencing pain and dehydration. To compound the situation, it was cold, windy and raining. Many had picked up thin warming blankets to protect them from the elements. They were grunting and moaning with each step they ran. The spectators cheered and screamed for each runner that came by.

The story was in connection to the theme of the week, “Running with Perseverance”, a study of Hebrews. I never really thought about it, but it was referenced several times, the readers of this letter were most likely facing persecution. The overall theme of Hebrews, “running with perseverance”, was made clearer in my head over the last week as I listened in on several different conversations and presentations. This message culminates in the presentation of those who persevered in their lives as the writer recalls the accounts of their lives. Ultimately to say, those who ran the marathon called life, are now cheering you on.

I have never run in a marathon. Never even tried a 5K, although there were times when I was running that I wanted to try it. Will I ever? I don’t know. But I live a life every day that seems like it’s a marathon. I am able to run this race with confidence and perseverance because I know that I have people in my corner cheering me on. There are people whose stories I’ve read from long ago. There are some who I shared life with who have passed on to eternal life. There are some that I get to see every day.

I hope you have your cheerleaders. I hope that as you read this, the faces of people from your past and now come to your mind. If you need a cheerleader for your race, let me know! I’ll show up with my sign and cheer for you! Because we need to be reminded that someone is cheering for us!

Be blessed because I’m cheering for you! Be a blessing as you cheer for others!