Mark’s bike was in top condition, of course, and nothing on his bike was left unchecked the day of the race. Mark was in top physical condition too. It would be great to come in first, but it was a difficult racecourse, and so his real goal was just to cross the finish line, no matter how long it took.
The racecourse was full of steep hills, twists and turns, bumps and other surprises. But when the biker had only the finish line in mind, those pedals and wheels had no choice but to keep up to the biker’s speed.
I wonder if Mark remembered what God says about racing. God tells us that the Apostle Paul was in a race too, and he kept his mind on the goal. It certainly was an uphill and downhill course, with surprises that were far from smooth and easy. But Paul didn’t concentrate on the roughness of the course; he concentrated on the goal before him—his Saviour whom he would meet at the finish line.
Paul really did have a difficult course. It included a horrible prison cell, beatings and stoning, hunger and shipwreck. But he never said, “This is too difficult! I’m giving up.” His poor body must have been scarred and crippled, but Jesus was the goal, the motive, the power and the whole direction of his life. When Paul was near the end of the course, he said, “I have fought [the] good fight” (2 Timothy 4:77I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7)). He was not saying that he had done well, but that the struggle had been worth it. He had no regrets.
Mark was pushing hard on his bike. Somewhere at top speed, he heard that little “poof—hiss,” the sound of a punctured tire. He kept going. He wasn’t going to be hindered by a flat tire. But it didn’t work. He jumped off and ran alongside, pushing the disabled bike. “Good work, Mark! Keep going!”
Some of us face things like that on our bad days, don’t we? But if you are a Christian, don’t let trouble hinder you. You can still follow Jesus on the bad days! If you are “looking unto Jesus,” He will keep you on the road to the finish line, even if you must carry burdens that others do not carry. Our Saviour understands. Follow Him.
But the flat tire flapped loose from the rim, making it impossible to push the bike. Determined, Mark picked up the bike and carried it. And running as fast as he could, he crossed the finish line!
Christian, are you disabled in a wheelchair or in a bed? Are you unable to function on your own? Let the Lord Jesus carry you in His willing arms right to the finish line, and you will find that you have missed nothing.
There was plenty of applause as the runner crossed the finish line, carrying his bike. And perhaps you may finish the race in helplessness too, but you will have a wonderful welcome at those heavenly gates. You will be eternally saved, and the praise will go to Jesus, the One who saved you and carried you.
Are you looking unto Jesus? He is the One who endured the cross for you and is seated now at the right hand of God. If He is not your Saviour, troubles and death will surely come to you, and you will spend not only this life, but all eternity without a Saviour.
ML-07/17/2016