By Lisa M. Hendey
“Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:30-31
Daddy’s favorite movie was the classic “Chariots of Fire.” The film recounts the stories of two Olympic runners, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, and their 1924 Paris Olympic competition. A classic scene shows Liddell, a Church of Scotland missionary born in China, reading from Isaiah’s 40th chapter. Interspersed with his proclamation of the Word, we witness scenes of the runners and their struggles. My father often recited the Isaiah passage to himself as he ran. But he also shared it with us, his children, whenever we faced trials. Today, his five children immediately envision Daddy when we hear these verses.
I had the great gift of training for and running a marathon with my father. We decided our best bet for finishing the race was to alternate running and walking. When we crossed the finish line after all those months of slow jogging, we raised our entwined hands, and Daddy quoted from Isaiah 40. I joked with him that day that we would both be much faster runners if we got to heaven one day.
Isaiah reminds us of the renewal we will know at the end of our earthly race. But Jesus teaches that we need not wait until then to know we do not bear our burdens alone. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” he promises.
Life often feels overwhelming. Between our commitments to our families and loved ones, our professional responsibilities, and the general state of world affairs, it can be easy to sink beneath the weight we carry. In these moments, it is good to remember that we, followers of Christ, have the most incredible gifts: hope and the certainty that we do not run life’s race alone.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my companion in the race of life, help me to bear my burdens. In your arms, I find rest and the hope to follow your perfect will.
Call to Action:
What challenges are currently weighing you down? Bring these to Jesus by spending time in Eucharistic Adoration or prayer. Consider asking a friend to pray for you and offer to do the same for her.
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As a runner’s mom, I have learned to love to watch the finish of a race. The community runs held so often bring out all sorts of runners, from fast and experienced to those who are just joining for their own personal reasons, But in each finisher one can see the joy of completion! Just as we as individuals are running the big race of life, the little races are little milestones along the way, an accomplishment to be treasured!
Beautiful post, Lisa
I love this verse from Isaiah that was one of your father’s favorites! Don’t know if I’ve ever really heard that one before, but I love it. I think of my grandkids playing hockey or in their swimming meets. The most important race we run on Earth is to get our souls to Heaven. I’m doing my best to run this race to be reunited with my beloved son again who died 12.16.19. Almost five years already. I hope your health is doing better now, Lisa. Thank you for this writing! “Mary Christ Mass” to you and yours!