Parallel Paths: Running the Race of Body and Soul

By Betty Maamari, Beirut Church of Christ

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV): "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

A few months ago, I started training with an acclaimed runner. She devised a running program for me on the treadmill. Under her guidance I followed a structured program designed to maximize my challenge. At the age of 45, following a running program posed challenges, but I embraced the difficulty with a love for the challenge.

One day, my running program consisted of intervals involving a speed of 12 for 30 seconds followed by a one-minute jump off the treadmill. This sequence lasting for 19 minutes. At first glance, the routine seemed quite simple and I found pleasure in the contrast of short bursts of running and prolonged periods of rest. However, as the clock reached the 20-minute mark, the treadmill's pace slowed to 11 and the workout took on a different dynamic. I now faced a 30-second jog at speed of 11 followed by a one-minute jump off the treadmill. This alteration brought a refreshing change but my body's response was not as enthusiastic. The heat of summer worsened my physical stress and my mental resilience began to weaken.

In the midst of the burning challenge, my mind struggled with the temptation to surrender. The harsh heat of the season seemed to intensify my thoughts of quitting. Yet, a determined inner voice within me urged me to keep going. By the time the clock struck the 45-minute mark, the speed reduced to ten, initiating the final phase of the session. During those last 10 minutes, a sensation of fatigue hit me in such a way that it overwhelmed me and the passage of time felt never ending, as if each minute was stretched into eternity. Although the remaining duration was short, it appeared endless.

Upon the completion of the session, I found myself bombarded by the intensity of my thoughts in the closing minutes centered on giving up. The mental struggle that I had while running on the treadmill worried me and I wondered how much worse it will be to overcome my thought patterns when running the spiritual race.

Actually, in those last minutes on the treadmill, a spiritual vision unfolded before me—an image of my initial conversion, marked by passionate enthusiasm as I started the divine race set by God. I recall running with unlimited energy, a fervent readiness to serve Him wholeheartedly, and my enthusiasm was evident in every aspect of my life. It was both deep and refreshing!

But as time passed by, the complexities of life along with the challenges of the spiritual realm made my once energetic joy decrease. The weight of these stressors, coupled with the fatigue that accompanied my dedicated service to God and the continuous spiritual attacks wore me down and stole my initial enthusiasm. 

And this should be expected since we are all witnessing the signs that emphasize that we are living in the end of days, hinting at the forthcoming return of Jesus which brings a sense of anxiety with this vision. It dawned on me that, as described in the verse "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8b), those who endure until the end must conquer not only the physical and emotional battles but also the tough mental battlefield. This realization hit me hard as the verge of salvation approaches. The final part of the journey will be a persistent process that requires enormous effort.

While running on the treadmill, my imagination moved me to running in a battlefield, where fiery darts rained down around me, aiming to harm me and stop me from reaching my goal. Yet, I kept ordering my mind to keep my gaze fixated on Jesus. It was hard to keep my eyes away from the fiery darts, just as it was hard to keep my eyes away from the treadmill timer. This made me realize the terrifying reality that my mind can play dirty games on me in my final battle. Chaos and conflict will be enormous that fearful thoughts or even fatigue might weaken my determination. I could sense how hard it will be to persist in keeping my focus firmly on Jesus, my source of strength.

In the midst of this internal struggle, a quiet whisper echoed within me: "You can do it. Lift your face up and keep running." These words became my guide, urging me forward with renewed determination as I crossed the spiritual battlefield.

This vision showed me that I should not take lightly what awaits us in the near future. The final part of this spiritual race demands a courage that emerges from a firm faith, a faith that exceeds the trials and tribulations of the world. The spiritual marathon will be a path filled with difficulty, yet one that holds the promise of divine reward for those who endure.

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." - Hebrews 12:1-2

I pray that we succeed in controlling our minds and ordering our eyes to remain fixated on Jesus to triumph over the challenges that lie ahead and to receive the crown of life by our Lord and Savior.