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Crossing the line
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
I am increasingly aware of the limits that my body can sustain. Whether it
is losing control of weights in a public forum, or painfully working through
the last thousand meters of a 5k, my body reminds me often that the half
century mark is in my rear-view mirror and getting further away each day.
Paul used analogies of athletes running to describe life as a follower of
Jesus. I often reminisce on what the writer was thinking, as I take the holy
revealed word and press it on top of my life.
I have a story in my head that pivots off the great hall of faith written in
Hebrews 11. In my mind I can see the amazing cloud of witnesses from
Abraham to Jacob, from David to the apostles who gave even their very
lives to be followers of Jesus. All the men and women who took this path in
life wait in that cloud, and their message is to press on.
On occasion, the course my life follows feels like a trek through a barren
wasteland. Here and there I can see the evidence of abundant life that has
come from my Savior, as he first passed this way. The run is constant and
unending, some days faster and some days slower, but never ceasing. I
have an adversary that chases relentlessly. Sometimes I am overtaken just
to break my spirit, sometimes threatening to run me down from behind.
My adversary only runs with me to mock my pace and disparage my efforts.
I press on.
It seems that my adversary has the power to make me hurt in ways I could
not have imagined. Why is this so hard? I press on.
Rounding the last bend, I can see the finish. I could never have imagined
in my wildest dreams the splendor and majesty of what I now behold. The
line is still so far away. I am exhausted. I am hurting. I am worn down.
My adversary is threatening yet again… this time more aggressive. There is
a sense of urgency in his approach. He is stronger than me. He is faster
than me. He never seems to get tired. He is persistent, relentless. The
only thing that seems to be outside his power is to steal my conviction to
press on.
Then I hear it, the angels begin to shout. But it is not the random shout of
a crowd; it is a song… a song so beautiful and full of promise. It speaks of
heavenly shores, sweet rest, abiding with the Father. It is so beautiful, my
eyes well with tears. With new strength I press on.
Then it comes, the majestic and glorious voice of my Father. There are no
words that can tell this accurately. His voice is calm, but it shakes the
foundations. The mere sound of his voice can rip bark from trees, but it is
encouragement that I receive, as it shatters any of the real remaining
obstacles for me to come home. I feel as though I can fly. I press on.
The line is in sight now. I can feel the hot sticky breath of my adversary, as
he closes in on me. He is so close, that I can feel the hell fire scorch my
neck, as he screams cursing and lies. His teeth are bared; his claws
extended. The Son finally speaks, “I have left you living water along the
way, you can do it. I promise you that there is rest here. My strength will
sustain you.” He extends one hand over the line and the other is held open
to catch me, as I cross the line in a long-awaited embrace. As I step past his
extended hand to cross the finish, my adversary face plants into the
outstretched nail-scarred hand of my Brother, my Savior, my Lord, and my
King. Burning ashes in a crumpled heap is all that remains of all my anger,
all my lust, all my greed, malice, envy, scorn, and pride. The race is over,
and the rest has begun.
I don’t know what the story looks like for you, but the bible tells us of the
walk that God made across the wilderness with his people, and how he
delivered them time and again, as he was repeatedly discarded. Finally,
our God, the Creator and Master of all came and walked in sandals, healed
the physically needy and enriched the spiritually needy. He gave his life, so
that I could run.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
- Steve Turquette
