"Run With Endurance"

Not all ancient footraces were short sprints.  One race, called do'li-khos,went for about two and a half miles. It was a demanding test of strength and endurance. According to tradition, in 328 B.C.E., an athlete named Ageas, after winning this race, set off and ran all the way to his home city, Argos, to announce his victory.  That day, he ran approximately 70 miles! 

The Christian race is also a long-distance run that tests our endurance. Enduring in this race t0 the end is needed to gain Jehovah's approval and the prize of everlasting life. Paul ran the race in such a way. Near the end of his life, he was able to say:  "I have fought the fine fight, I have the course to the finish, I have observed the faith. From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness." (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)   Like Paul, we have to run "to the finish." If our endurance wanes just because the race is somewhat longer than we expected at first, we shall fail to gain our reward.  (Hebrews 11:6)  What a tragedy that would be, seeing that we are so close to the finish line!

Next time: The Prize

From the Watchtower magazine, 2001