Marathon Without a Finish Line?

Just a few days ago, we watched enthralled as runners from all over the world competed in the 26.2 mile 2016 Boston Marathon.

Ironically, over dinner that same evening, our twin granddaughters were telling us they had just run the mile that afternoon at school, as part of the President's Physical Fitness testing program.  Actually, they said, it was more like a walk/run.  One of the twins snarkily gloated as she recalled the details of digging deep and mustering a final sprint to the finish line, capably passing and beating one of the boys in her class.  I think she said it was her boyfriend, but I'm sure her audacious last second display of athleticism didn't help that cause along any.

I have the highest respect for these people who make it their goal to run, complete, and even win an event of the caliber of the Boston Marathon.  Just the thought of the training required and the stamina and perseverance to do so gives me blisters on my toes.

In case you didn't catch any of the marathon trivia, here are a few morsels to chew on:

   - 26,639 runners completed
     the marathon.

   - The male and female winners were both Ethiopians.

   - The final person to cross the finish line was a 72-year-old woman.

   - The youngest to cross the finish line was a 2-year-old boy, carried by his father.
     (The boy needs a heart transplant.)

   - There were numerous marriage proposals happening behind the scenes.

   - Several survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing finished the race.

   - One man, a victim of a boating accident that took his left leg and right arm,
     completed the race for the first time, saying the bombing victims had inspired him.

What compels these athletes to run these miles, to complete this grueling expenditure?  I've been an athlete throughout my life too, so to a small extent I do understand the drive and sacrifice.

It makes me wonder about people in general.  I sense a lot of people in our world are running "marathons" of their own.  Runners who are on an invisible treadmill of sorts.  Running a race with no end.

Oh they're running fast and hard, striving so diligently to acquire all the things, or achieve all the financial levels, or attain to the ranks of success they think will satisfy them.  They think they will be happier and more fulfilled when they get more stuff, make more money, or find a new relationship.  They live every moment to fill themselves with what they think will satisfy.

It's just like a marathon without a finish line.  Exhausting, empty, unfulfilling, and endless.

I think in some ways we can all relate - we've all run this race at times in our lives and felt the emptiness and futility of it all.  Our human natures are never satisfied.  We will never have enough.  In fact, King Solomon, the wisest AND wealthiest man who ever lived said this:  "The eyes of man are never satisfied."  (Proverbs 27:20)

Thankfully, though, we can overcome this lifestyle of seeking but never finding.  It is simple, yet only some will stop their striving long enough to see the answer.  Jesus is the treasure we are seeking.  He is our source of peace, comfort, hope, security, and salvation.  Only he can provide the flow of "living water" that will never run dry.

For ultimately, nothing in this world will ever satisfy the thirsty soul other than a relationship with the living God.

He is waiting at the finish line, friends.  Run fast.  To Him, only.