See How They Run
Get Set! See how they run!
Look up!
Look up to the left.
There’s Noah … he ran a rough race. He faced a crowd of ridicule. He ran his race almost alone.
Are you running alone? Look up to brother Noah. I can hear him say, “Stick with it. Don’t give up. It’s worth it.”
Look to the right there.
Isn’t that Job? Nobody ran a tougher race. He led a full team until he lost them all, but he kept plodding … barefoot, boiled. Have you lost your running mates? Possessions? Health? Brother Job’s rooting for you. Run, run, run. It’s worth it.
Look again.
Can you spot Daniel? He ran on his opponent’s field. No home-court advantage. Officials devised strange rules. He refused and paid penalties. Are you in the penalty box unjustly? Look up. See brother Daniel. He’s yelling, “My God is able. My God is able. My God is able to deliver.”
Who’s down there?
Why it’s John. He ran the preliminaries. He was the best but always finished second. Do you run while the crowds file out to the concessions? Is it your job to make someone else look good, be successful? If so, watch brother John. He’s the one in the winner’s circle.
And the little guy in the corner.
Hey, Paul! He ran his race uphill but he won by a mile and convinced others to run too. Are you discouraged, depressed? Listen to the old coach. Keep those knees up and kick, kick, kick.
Look closer.
Runners in the mist
You’ll see Augustine, Luther, Wesley and Spurgeon, Moody, and Marshall.
And ahead … just across the finish line. Isn’t that Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad? How can you let them down? With a crowd like that, how can you lose?
Weights
work great for training, but slow you down for the trials.
Small boys look cute clutched to Daddy’s ankles, but they grow and grow and grow. What’s your weight? Immorality? Bitterness? Anger? Jealousy? Hmmm … Maybe T.V.? Snacks? Security? Weekends? Ouch!
Who Can Help?
Look!
In the reviewing stand … it’s Jesus! He laid out the court, built the stands. He designed the track. He blazed the trail. He showed us how to run.
His Race
What a day!
Crowds crammed the stadium. They jumped, yelled, cheered, confettied the track. Free food and autographs for everyone, until uptight critics spread rumors.
“He’s too perfect,” they fumed.
“Surely he’s cheating,” they cried.
“He broke the training rules,” they hissed.
“He’s on pep pills,” they lied.
He called this great stadium a pile of junk. He chased vendors out of the aisles. Why, he’s been seen with known criminal types.
Gradually, applause and cheers vied with boos, jeers. They chanted and spit and mocked him with leers.
He kept running.
“Stop the race,” officials cried. They pleaded and bribed.
He kept running. And was disqualified. But he just kept right on running.
Finally, critics, officials, and bystanders rushed onto the track. And there in the middle of the arena, they grabbed him and heaved him up and killed him.
Murdered
Murdered in the stadium he built, running the big race he designed, and by the very people he came to train.
Games ceased that day. One by one the mob disappeared. Then in the chilly stillness of dawn the pat, pat, pat of a runner’s gait echoed throughout the deserted stadium.
Two female fans returning, stopped and stared. Then they rushed home through the empty seats to bring back a few teammates, family, friends.
He’s still running. They witness as he crosses the finish line. He won!
We won.
After a jubilant victory celebration, they ran through temples, courts and prison cells. They ran through countries, cultures and nations. They ran through years, decades and centuries, shouting the news.
Marathon runners
Our race
Today the stadium’s full again. Now we hold the torch. Angry, confused voices still clash and roar while spirit muscles ache and strain.
But look up.
Look at the Judge’s stand. It’s King Jesus and he’s on our side and he’s the only Judge. Look again. He’s rooting, shouting, scoring, for you and me.
Listen. Can’t you hear him call? Run, run, run. Hang in there. It’s worth it. Hey, that’s my team. That’s my boys, my girls.
See how they run!
See how they run!
Copyright © Janet Chester Bly 1976
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“See How They Run” Bly Books Legacy Series audio podcast by Stephen Bly:
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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 perseverance the race set before us,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him,
endured the cross,
despising the shame
and is seated at the right hand of God.
Hebrews 12:1,2
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Stephen Bly and Janet Chester Bly – 1985
Christy Award-winning western novelist, pastor and author Stephen Bly (1944-2011) preached See How They Run for many churches across the country. His widow, author Janet Chester Bly, revised it into this poem meditation format.
This is just awesome! I shall share with a lot of people today. The Word in a way that captures my heart and makes God superreal! Thank you, Stephen, thank you, Janet and thank you Jesus!
Eleanor: Thanks so much for the great comments! Blessings to you, Janet
What an encouraging post! Stephen covered something we know but sometimes forget when faced with the issues of everyday life. Thank you for the reminder.
Mark: Thanks again for the responses! Blessings, Janet