I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
Finishing the Race
The Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon is the fastest and largest marathon in the country. As one of two IAAF Gold Label marathon events in Canada, the race attracts Canada’s largest marathon field, some 7,000 participants, as well as a world-class contingent of elite athletes. Featuring the beautiful scenery of Canada’s capital, the atmosphere of hundreds of thousands of spectators, and a fast course perfect both for personal bests and first-timers, this is a world-class marathon that must be experienced and a Boston Marathon qualifier.
***
Not everyone who runs in a marathon has visions of winning the race. There are only a few elite athletes in the world who have the ability to win a marathon. I’ve visited East Africa many times and I have seen the work that runners from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda put into running – the runners from these countries consistently win their races. Many enter these marathons just to prove to themselves that they can finish this gruelling contest. It is in this light that Paul writes this to his friend in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul is an old man now, and he has been running the marathon called the Christian life for many years. He has paced himself, he has treated his soul and body right, and as he gets towards the end, he is able to look back and say that he has kept the faith and finished the race well. May each one of us get to that point as well in our walk with Jesus. It’s a marathon, and we want to finish well.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley