The Spiritual Marathon: Running Toward the Calling

 


 The Spiritual Marathon: Running Toward the Calling

Recently, my husband and son have been preparing for a half-marathon in March. Inspired by friends and the Word of God last year, they set a goal and began training in earnest. Watching them increase their mileage day by day is truly remarkable. Sometimes they limp from the strain in their knees, feet, and thighs, falling into an exhausted sleep by early evening. Yet, seeing them persevere toward the finish line is a powerful spiritual challenge to me.

Today, the Apostle Paul encourages us to run our own race to the very end: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." (Acts 20:24)

Fulfilling a mission is like the mindset of a marathon runner. In Matthew 13, the person who finds "treasure hidden in a field" sells all he has to buy that field. Because he knows the value of the treasure, he does not regret giving up what he owns. Likewise, because Paul discovered the treasure of the Gospel, he could run without sparing even his own life. 

The author of Hebrews exhorts us: "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (Hebrews 12:12-13)

Embrace Your Spiritual Muscle Aches. The muscle aches experienced during marathon training are evidence that the muscles are becoming stronger. The spiritual journey is the same. As we run toward our calling, we encounter "spiritual muscle aches." This is the discomfort and pain we feel when we surrender our small preferences, our plans, and our emotions before the Lord. However, this pain is a glorious sign that we are being reshaped into a God-centered life. What spiritual muscle aches am I experiencing today? Let me look beyond that pain to the treasure and the joy of finishing the race.

Today's Prayer

Lord, help me to run this spiritual marathon of sharing Your Gospel without ceasing. Even amidst the spiritual muscle aches I face, let me discover Your treasure and complete the race, living not a self-centered but a God-centered life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.


영적 마라톤: 사명을 향해 달리는 삶

요즘 남편과 아들이 3월에 있을 하프 마라톤을 준비하고 있습니다. 작년에 지인들과 말씀을 통해 도전을 받은 후, 목표를 세우고 본격적으로 달리기를 시작했습니다. 옆에서 하루하루 마일수를 늘려가며 훈련하는 두 사람을 보면 놀라지 않을 수 없습니다. 때로는 무릎과 발, 허벅지 등 온몸의 통증으로 절뚝거리며 걷기도 하고, 저녁이면 쏟아지는 피로에 일찍 잠을 청합니다. 그러나 목적지를 향해 한 걸음씩 내딛는 그 모습은 저에게 큰 영적 도전이 됩니다.

오늘 사도 바울은 우리에게 자신의 경주를 끝까지 완주할 것을 독려합니다. “나의 달려갈 길과 주 예수께 받은 사명 곧 하나님의 은혜의 복음 증거하는 일을 마치려 함에는 나의 생명을 조금도 귀한 것으로 여기지 아니하노라” (사도행전 20:24)

사명을 감당하는 자세는 마라톤 선수의 마음가짐과 같습니다. 마태복음 13장에 나오는 **‘밭에 감추인 보화’**를 발견한 사람은 자신의 모든 소유를 팔아 그 밭을 삽니다. 그 보화의 가치를 알기에 자신의 것을 포기하는 것이 아깝지 않은 것입니다. 사도 바울 역시 복음이라는 보화를 발견했기에 자신의 생명조차 아끼지 않고 달릴 수 있었습니다.

히브리서 기자는 우리에게 이렇게 권면합니다. “그러므로 피곤한 손과 연약한 무릎을 일으켜 세우고 너희 발을 위하여 곧은 길을 만들어 저는 다리로 하여금 어그러지지 않고 고침을 받게 하라” (히브리서 12:12-13)

영적 근육통 

마라톤 훈련 중에 겪는 근육통은 근육이 더 단단해지고 있다는 증거입니다. 영적인 여정도 마찬가지입니다. 사명을 향해 달릴 때 우리는 ‘영적 근육통’을 만납니다. 나의 소소한 기호, 내 뜻과 계획, 내 감정을 주님 앞에 내려놓을 때 오는 불편함과 고통입니다. 하지만 이 통증은 우리가 하나님 중심적인 삶으로 빚어지고 있다는 영광스러운 신호입니다. 오늘 내가 가지고 있는 영적 근육통은 무엇인지 돌아봅니다. 그 통증 너머에 있는 보화와 완주의 기쁨을 바라보며 오늘도 달리기를 포기하지 않습니다. 

오늘의 기도 

주님, 제가 하나님의 복음을 전하는 이 영적 마라톤을 쉬지 않고 달릴 수 있도록 도와주시옵소서. 경주를 마치기까지 마주하는 크고 작은 영적 근육통 속에서도 주님의 보화를 발견하게 하시고, 나 중심이 아닌 하나님 중심의 삶으로 끝까지 완주하게 하여주시옵소서. 예수님의 이름으로 기도드립니다. 아멘.

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