A Sprint, Marathon or Expedition

Journal 2005 09 19

Clark and his six men press on. Proceeding up Hungry Creek they take the “long way” around. Clark estimates it doubles the distance. Much to their relief, Clark’s party notices the air temperature warming as they make the long descent to the broad plain seen from the mountain heights. This hunting and recon party finally comes across some game, a wild horse! They shoot it, eat “a fine breakfast”, and hang the meat for the main party.

Lewis and the main party are struggling to continue. Dysentery, boils and other skin problems from malnutrition are beginning to add to the burdens the men and horses are bearing. Lewis spots the broad prairie Clark saw yesterday. He estimates it at sixty miles. Old Toby says they will be there tomorrow. Regardless, the sight brings hope to the men that their extreme struggle will soon end. Lewis records in his notes that he has seen eight specific species of pine trees during this push through these “emmence” mountains.

Push on, press on, in their own words, “proceed on” describes the effort of these iron tough expeditioners. And remember, a teen-age mother and her infant were traveling with the main party! Lewis must have reminded himself frequently of his words recorded before they left the Shoshone camp that if women and children successfully negotiated this route twice yearly certainly he and his soldiers could.

Does this struggle to advance, to “press on” bring perspective to the Apostle Paul’s admonition, “I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” I usually think of a sprint, of a runner pressing his chest forward to be the first to break the tape of the finish line. However, placed in context, isn’t the prize awarded at the end of our lives? And the prize is that heavenly call to life in Jesus Christ.

Today’s journal recorded two-hundred years ago serves as a great reminder to the promise of suffering that Jesus spoke of and Paul frequently pointed to as indicators of achieving that goal of imitating Paul who is imitating Jesus.

I do not like running. If I have to run, give me a basketball game that is made up of a series of small sprints. If like me, you think Paul is running a single one hundred yard dash and getting a gold medal and crown for his work, think again.

Our “race” really is a journey, an expedition. Have you seen the movie, “Hidalgo” about a man and his horse renown for winning long distance races? The movie records a race that becomes a struggle of proportions he has never known. He and his horse are tested to the limits of their abilities and must receive miraculous help to finish and win. Once dead and now alive, they run bareback and with a new freedom to the finish line. And we are no different. Paul tells us to run in such a way as to win the prize, with freedom in joy.

You can win the prize, the high calling of Jesus Christ, and run the race with the knowledge that though it may require your life, you will and have already won if you have set aside all that would hinder you from full pursuit of the One who holds the prize.