Staying the Course

“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.” — Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Our friend Paula has a t-shirt with a picture of a two-toed sloth and the slogan, "Sloth Running Team: We'll Get There When We Get There." It’s a humorous reminder that not every runner is fast—but every runner has a story.

In 2025, more than 31,000 runners from 128 countries gathered for the Boston Marathon. Among them were elite athletes like John Korir of Kenya, who won the men’s division in 2:04:45, and Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, who shattered the women’s course record with a time of 2:17:22 (Boston Athletic Association, 2025). But some of the most moving stories came from those who finished hours later—blistered, soaked, and exhausted, yet triumphant.

One of the most unforgettable moments came not from the front of the pack, but near the very end. Matthew Nawn, a 20-year-old Villanova student, collapsed just feet from the finish line. His legs locked up, and he fell to the pavement. But instead of giving up, he crawled across Boylston Street on his hands and knees, cheered on by volunteers and spectators (Lewis, 2025). His body had given out, but his spirit had not. That image—of a young man crawling toward the finish with grit and grace—reminds us that perseverance isn’t always elegant. Sometimes it’s raw, painful, and slow. But it’s holy.

Our spiritual life is much like a marathon. Some seasons feel like a sprint, others like a slow uphill walk. We face blisters of disappointment, chafing from conflict, and the unpredictable weather of grief, doubt, and fatigue. But the call of Hebrews is not to speed—it’s to perseverance.

Whether you’re running with vigor or trudging with weariness, the invitation is the same: stay the course. Let go of what entangles. Listen for the Spirit’s encouragement. Trust Jesus—our coach, companion, and champion—who endured the cross and now runs beside us.

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to keep going.

God of endurance and grace, thank you for the cloud of witnesses who cheer us on, and for your Son Jesus, who ran the race before us. When we feel weary, remind us that perseverance is holy. When we stumble, lift us with your mercy. Help us to shed what slows us down and to run with courage, even if our pace falters. May we finish strong—not by our own strength, but in the hope of Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim

Hills, rain, and potholes

meant to slow—but grace still drives

us to the finish

(Hebrews 12:1)

Boston Athletic Association. (2025). 2025 Boston Marathon results and statistics. https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/results

Lewis, K. (2025, April 27). Junior Matt Nawn’s no-quit mentality helped him finish the Boston Marathon. The Villanovan. https://villanovan.com/30105/sports/junior-matt-nawns-no-quit-mentality-helped-him-finish-the-boston-marathon/