Get Up and Run

There was a picture in yesterday’s newspaper of the woman who won the woman's division of the Pikes Peak Marathon. She fell three times on the way down. What mattered wasn’t that she fell but that she got back up. And she not only finished the race but won. She had cuts and bruises on her shoulders, back, arms and legs. She had lived in her car all summer while training for the marathon. She kept going after the three falls because she decided this would be a "no fear" race.

We are going to fall. That is reality. 1 John 1:8-9 says: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The presumption is that we are going to sin. It's not an excuse and we shouldn't abuse grace but that's the truth. Get up, confess your sin (again), let him wipe you off and cleanse you and then go on with no fear or condemnation. Finish the race.

It also helps to have some friends running alongside and standing along the path to cheer you on.

Philip