We Run This Race

Psalm 18:25-29 NASB says,
With the kind You show Yourself kind;
With the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
With the pure You show Yourself pure,
And with the crooked You show Yourself astute.
For You save an afflicted people,
But haughty eyes You abase.
For You light my lamp;
The LORD my God illumines my darkness.
For by You I can run upon a troop;
And by my God I can leap over a wall.

My reason for sharing that passage? It has everything to do with having the endurance to run the race of life well, no matter what our circumstances.
So much of my music and ministry was born at Western Hills Church in Oklahoma City under the pastoral care of Jerry and Debbie Wells. Several months before this song, We Run This Race, was written, I had received word that Debbie was battling cancer. I had written If I Could Just Sit With You Awhile for her father-in-law, Bob Burgess, under very similar circumstances way back in 1991.
In mid April of 2007, I was able to talk with Debbie and as usual it was she who encouraged me. Debbie, a deep worshipper, and one of the most genuine and loving people I have ever known, was a reflection of Jesus whenever she worshipped the Lord. Open and demonstrative, graceful and unassuming, she was never a distraction during times of worship. She always had a way of encouraging me even while I was leading her in worship.
At a time of worship sometime during the spring of 2007, I noticed someone in the congregation, hands lifted, body swaying and commented that his person reminded me of my friend, Debbie – and it was Debbie! How I loved when she worshipped because I felt so blessed in every way. That was the last time I experienced worship with Debbie Wells on this earth.
Her mother-in-law, Joy, called with the news that Debbie was with Jesus…and she asked me if I thought she was marching around heaven with a banner or if she was dancing. I know she was dancing. Joy then told me Jerry (Debbie’s husband) had asked if I would sing at her memorial service. This song was born after Jerry called me a day later and asked me it we could do like old times again – he had a word and asked me to meditate on it. The word – running the race - Debbie was a marathon runner.
As she ran in a physical sense, she ran in a spiritual sense. She ran well and finished her race, hearing her Father say, “Well done.” I received this song on May 5, 2007 after meditating on what it means to run one’s race of life well…and I shared it at her memorial celebration. You should have felt and seen the response as I shared this song with the 1500+ worshipers. I ended the song and went right into You Are My All In All as every person stood to their feet in honor of God and in honor of a life well lived.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 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 NASB

Brothers and sisters, we have not been guaranteed an easy life, but we have been guaranteed that we would never be alone for even one step of the journey…for even one step of this race we call life. Debbie understood that she was not running a sprint, but she was running a marathon…and she ran to win! Even though battling cancer, she ran with the attitude and thoughts of one who ran to win!

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NASB

Let’s take the words of this song to heart this week. Let us remember that we may not have a choice as to our circumstances or the length of our life, but we always have a choice as to how we will respond to those circumstances. Because I am suffering with Parkinson’s, I have an entirely different perspective on life than I once did. I do not want to waste another second worrying about my physical wellbeing or one more second fretting about my circumstances. I choose to run the race to win. Period. That’s my choice! What do you choose? Let’s choose to run to win!
Dennis Jernigan

To listen to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this teaching, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/we-run-this-race/

Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/01/24/13/32/marathon-250987_1280.jpg

We Run This Race
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
May 5, 2007

Verse One
Let us run the race.
Let us gain the prize.
Let us run with grace
To where we fix our eyes!
Let us all endure
Storm and fiery wind.
Let your gaze be sure.
Run your race to Him!

Chorus
We run this race!
We run to win!
We run this race!
We run to Him!
Our race is done
When we have run so far
That we have run
Into His arms!

Verse Two
Let us look to those
Who ran before with praise,
Running like we know
The outcome of this race!
Run, though weak, be strong.
You belong to Him.
Sing your victory song
And run this race to win!

Bridge
The legacy of every runner
Is to run this race
In such a way that others come
To know His love and grace!
So run through sorrow!
Run through trials!
Run with joy through pain!
Run with all your heart to Him
Whose life He freely gave!