Dear Ones:
It has been likened unto a race, and a fight. It has also been described as a walk and a state of mind and heart. It is that period of time between the present moment and the moment when we will be ushered into the presence of God, and time will be no more. And to a certain extent the opportunity that we have on earth to glorify God will be over. I say, “…to a certain extent,” because we do not know the effect of our present existence. With regard to Enoch, though he had died, yet his life, works, and manner of life speaks still. I have often marveled that the woman who poured precious oil on the Lord’s head prior to His crucifixion, would receive this commendation of the Lord: “Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial to her.” (Matt. 26:13) The disciples were indignant at what she had done, for their “value system” was not that of the Lord Jesus. So, we come again to our opportunity, this time for which we have been put on this earth. How shall it lived, spent, used, …and according to what standards? Shall it be in accordance to the value system of Christ?
Paul tells us that the race that he was running was a “certain” one, and one in which he did not “beat the air, ” or just fight in an indiscriminate way. It was purposeful, and disciplined. He was focused upon it, and the issues at hand, were very clear. Hence, he is running this race “to obtain,” or to win. What? It was to hear those wonderful words from Christ’s lips, “well done, ” and “welcome home.” He was looking down the corridor of time, his time, at that moment when he would enter forever into the unfettered presence of His Life and King.
Another aspect of this “opportunity of time, ” is that of looking through the eyes of the soldier. Here is a man who is not tangled up in the affairs of this life. He is free in mind and heart to love Christ. He has risen up, and as the hymn puts it, “…put his armor on, standing in the strength which God supplies through His eternal Son.” So, to sum up, the race has been engaged in, and the battle embraced…all weights have been cast aside, all entanglements have been shed. The purposeful opportunity is grasped, and the heart leans forward towards the objective.
Question: Was the woman who poured oil on Jesus’ head in a race, in a battle? She was indeed, for though we do not see a “powerful” individual accomplishing “greath things” to be noticed, she overcomes the opinions of the other disciples in order to worship Christ, and to demonstrate her thankfulness and love to Him. What does it mean to run the race and to fight the fight? It means that love for Christ is paramount, not only as the means to reach the objective, but it is that reward of heaven to the soul. This is what counts for eternity.
“Love through me, Love of God, There is no love in me, O Fire of love, light Thou the love, That burns perpetually.”
Love, Dad