Don’t Look Back
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes.
Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race.
As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted
by the question, “Where is Bannister?” As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine
reporter, “If I hadn’t looked back, I would have won!”
One of
the most descriptive pictures of the Christian life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. “Know ye
not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it
into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians
9:24-27 (KJV) tells us that discipline is the key to winning.
“Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV) We are encouraged to lay aside anything that might
hinder our spiritual advancement and to stay focused on Christ.
“Not as
though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also
I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” Philippians 3:12-13
(KJV)
Lord, give us endurance as we run this race of life. Help us not to wallow in
past failures, but to be disciplined and to shun sinful ways. May we fix our eyes on the eternal goal set before us and keep
looking unto Jesus.
Daily Chronological Bible Reading:
Numbers 18-20
