Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
My wife and I had the opportunity to do some mission work
in Alaska in January. One of the
highlights was to be able to assist in the Copper Basin 300. It was a lot of
fun getting to talk to the mushers and to watch how excited each of the dogs
were as the lined up and were ready to start the race. It was also great to see the relationship that
was built between the dogs and the musher.
This past week I have been tracking the Yukon Quest as
the Dog mushers guide their team of dogs from Fairbanks Alaska to White Horse
Canada. As I laid in bed the other night
while tracking the teams I thought “What do dog mushing and walking the
Christian walk have in common?” I came up with a few subtle likenesses.
1. A
good dog musher always continues to be busy during mushing season. A Christian
should always endeavor to tell people about Jesus, in season and out of season.
Paul said to the Christians in Hebrews 12:1, “Let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us.” We are to lay aside anything that hinders our progress.
2. If a
dog musher does not train his or her dogs, they cannot perform to their highest
potential. The fact is, if they haven’t been trained at all they won’t function
as a dog team.
A Christian who makes a hobby, his job or even his family
No. 1 cannot grow spiritually and puts himself in a position to be deceived by
the adversary. Usually, they get away from fellowship with other Christians and
don’t attend church much. The Bible seems distant, and in fact the flesh will
dominate their born-again spirit. Instead of walking in love, walking in the
spirit will be just like the world — flesh rules looking out for only
themselves.
I read a story from a musher that has raced in the
Iditarod, here are some of his thoughts.
“I have raced the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race many
times, and when you get up the trail a ways on the coast on a beautiful day
where the sun is shining, you think you got it all together. It is exuberant;
Utopia is a word I have used to describe it. Then the sun goes down and the
wind picks up. The trail may have been wiped out and all you have is the next
marker you can barely see with your headlamp. Then you feel very small and
obscure.
I have heard of many mushers who have made a prayer to
God in times like these to help them make it through, and if he does they pray
they would do something, a promise, which most times they admit they don’t
follow through with.”
When they pray, a lot of Christians ask God for
something, but there are times we need to be quiet and listen. God speaks to
his children through that still small voice, and sometimes he gives us
direction. Right then, you know it’s from God, but if you do not move right
away that inward witness prompting will become dull. Later, you try to reason
it out in your head, and many times you will say that must have just been me
and not do what God had asked.
3. A
good musher doesn’t speak of defeat, a champion speaks of success and victory.
Many Christians, during good times when everything is
going smoothly, have a good confession speaking of their victory in Christ, but
when things are not going well for them they speak of defeat, not proclaiming
what God’s word says about them.
4. As a
dog musher, they are always faithful in their daily training of their sled dogs.
As Christians, we should be willing and obedient to the walk set before us in
the Scriptures. Jesus gave us a commandment — to walk in love, to love our
neighbor — and it should be our daily goal to be obedient to walk the walk of
love. We don’t want to be willing only, but also obedient. The love of God was
shed abroad in our hearts when we were born again. We must allow that love to
come forth.
Dear Lord , help us to be faithful in our Christian walk
just as the dog mushers are in training their dogs. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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