The Last Great Race

As some of you may not know, I recently moved to Alaska from the "lower 48". Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, know as The Last Great Race on Earth. The field consisting of 64 Mushers and their dog sleds sets out in the dead of winter to cover 1100 miles of frozen tundra, some compete to win others compete to survive. Regardless of their aspirations, all endure some of the harshest weather conditions and rugged terrain on earth with their eyes fixed firmly on the finish line. Mushers who lose sight of their eventual goal can become discouraged and quit, Mushers who lose their bearing can become hopelessly lost (not a good place to be in the frozen north), and Mushers who lose their resolve can translate that lack of confidence to their dogs leading to failure for the team.

Paul talks about another "great race" several times throughout his letters to the early church. He compares the Christian life to a race, an apt illustration, in order to show it not as a spectator sport but rather as a continual action sport. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 9 he says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly..." And again in Hebrews Chapter 11 he says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

While we may not face the challenges of snow and ice and the northern passes, we can certainly fall prey to the same pitfalls that plague Iditaroders. Often times I lose sight or forget the eventual goal, the finish line of the race being run, too easily distracted by what the world has to offer along the way. Struggling with those distractions can be discouraging and lead to thinking why press on? Wouldn't it be easier to just quit? Its easy to lose our bearings when the race course is counter to our culture, and become lost. And resolve, no matter how strong at the outset can be crushed by the grind of day to day life till all confidence is diminished. (Galatians 5:7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?)

In the face of weather, terrain, avalanches, bears, and any number of other hazards, Mushers come yearly to Alaska to compete and win in the Iditarod. And, seemingly against all odds, some manage to have fun along the way. So too with the race put forth in Paul's analogy, against all odds, against the avalanches of life, the culture of "me", the distractions and wrong turns, some manage to to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2Timothy 4:7)

I was told you can look at the Iditarod one of two ways; one, 7-14 days of pain and suffering, or two, a great way to see some amazing sights and participate in an experience that will change you in dramatic and lasting ways. When comparing Paul's race analogy to the Iditarod as I have, I think I choose option two. I want to push past the discomfort of the race conditions, push on towards the eventual goal, and be changed by the "race" in a meaningful and lasting way.