Overcomer

            The other day, Clayton was describing to a group of us his experience doing the London to Brighton walk ; a hundred kilometer stretch that took him nineteen hours to finish. I could feel my interest start to fade. I’ve heard many people talk about marathons, and honestly, I’ve never understood why anyone would put themselves through something like that. What’s the point?

But this morning, a song was playing in my head:

“You’re an overcomer. Stay in the fight till the final round.”

And suddenly, Clayton’s story came back to me.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10

        Clayton had said that the most disappointing and draining moment came when he reached the 50 km mark and found… nothing. 

No sign. No marker. No reward for making it halfway. Just more road. 

He pushed on, hoping maybe at 52 km there’d be something ….. but still, nothing. 

And it struck me.The hardest part isn’t finishing the race.
It’s staying in the race.
And not giving up.
By not disqualifying yourself.
And not walking away even when everything in you begs you to.

Yes,you are allowed to slow down.
You’re allowed to feel tired.
You’re allowed to collapse, to cry, to say, “This is too much.”
And what if you fall ?

Overcomers rise.
They stand. 
And they take the next step.

You can continue to finish the race. 
Or you have a choice . To walk away. 
But remember that the choice to stay in the race is yours.

…., being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion… Philippians 1:6

        Because even when you don’t see markers to tell you how far you have come or how much farther you have to go , you draw your strength from the training you already have had.

Overcomers stay in the race till the final mile. 
Overcomers stay because they know that prize is in finishing the race they set out to run. 
Overcomers stay because motivation comes from conviction. 
They don’t run on dreams or delusion, nor are they carried by the cheers of the crowd.

“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. “
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 

Overcomers stay in the race because they have trained for it and they have already endured. 

It is not passion that keeps us in the race, but the conviction formed in training. Training teaches us not just how to run , but also how to finish the race.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:11

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”James 1:12 (NIV)

Overcomer Song by Mandisa ‧ 2013
You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight 'til the final round
You're not going under
'Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when he reminds you
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer
The same man, the great I am
The one who overcame death
Is living inside of you
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There's nothing he can't do
He's telling you
You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight 'til the final round.
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when he reminds you
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer.
You're not going under
'Cause God is holding you right now