I’ll never forget the first time Shelley and I met Rachel.* With sparkling eyes that reflected the Lord’s love, she enthusiastically embraced us as a brother and sister-in-Christ. Rachel was one of those overachievers who do all things well. A true handmaiden of the Lord, she loved to serve others and had a knack for making you feel as though you were the most important person in the world. Her boundless energy was amazing, so it was no surprise to learn that Rachel loved to run. Tall and slender, she looked like a runner. But, when she told us that although her job required that she walk between ten and twelve thousand steps a day, and that she often went for a run after work, I admit I was a bit astonished at her physical stamina for a woman in her mid-fifties. The secret to her great endurance was training to win the race.
I realize I’m speaking of her in the past tense. Not because she is no longer with us, but because her life took an unexpected turn, and she is now training to endure a different kind of race.
Rachel had a mild case of COVID-19 back in March of 2020—mostly cold-like symptoms, and a fever that lasted only a day. But the spike proteins of the virus invaded her brain, and several years later, she still suffers brain inflammation from long COVID. It’s difficult to comprehend how debilitating this condition is. Rachel is bed-bound. She can take only a few steps on a walker, and ends up totally exhausted. On the days her brain swelling increases excessively—which is about every other day—she can’t even sit up in bed and struggles with overwhelming brain fog. Mercy! Her condition is enough to make most people resort to a pity-party. But, not Rachel.
“I trust the Lord,” she says, “and although I hate losing my independence, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. The Lord is teaching me so much through this. I know that He is developing my character to be more Christlike.”
How can she endure this malady with such grace?
“On the days I can focus, I memorize Scripture,” she says. “My son comes to visit every day, and reads me Bible stories. The rest of the day, I have my TV tuned on 3ABN. Even if I’m too tired to watch, I listen and learn. And I’m so blessed to have a loving and supportive husband. He prays with me before he goes to work, and after he comes home. He never complains that he must be my caregiver. He is amazing.”
One of Rachel’s favorite Scriptures is James 1:12 (NIV), “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
I marvel at the grace God gives us to endure this marathon of life. Consider Paul, who was describing his trials and tribulations, only to conclude with these words: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy …..” Acts 20:24. Toward the very end of his life, Paul wrote to his dear son in the faith, Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7–8.
Jesus said, “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13. So how do we endure? We must train to be spiritual marathon winners. We must “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” and “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1–2.
Oh, dear friends, let us be like Rachel who shares the one aspiration that Paul clung to: “… but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13–14.
Our goal is to become like Jesus—to endure trials with patience, humbly depending on God. The secret to endurance is to live by this promise, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me…]” Philippians 4:13 (AMPC).
No matter what hardships this life brings to you, learn to endure your sufferings and grief with the hope of God’s promises. Hold on to the inheritance He has in store for you, and hold fast to the faith of Jesus. Your walk with Christ is not merely a sprint—it’s a long-distance marathon. Keep your eye on the prize, and practice endurance training for life’s marathon.
*A pseudonym
