“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40.31
Joy Johnson knew this passage of scripture well. She had a portion of this verse hanging on her wall in her kitchen. Joy died this week; one day after running her 25th New York Marathon, which took place on Sunday. Joy was an inspiration to many people. Not only because of her incredible accomplishments, but also because Joy was 86 when she ran her last race. This inspiring widow and former PE teacher was said to have lived up to her name. Her friends and family say she was a joy to be around, and brought others so much happiness. In 2011 she told USA Today, “I want to keep running as long as I can drop in my running shoes when the time comes.”
I'd say this is a woman who knew what it meant to live life to the fullest. A passion for the Lord, a passion for life and the things that brought her joy during her time here on this earth. I'd love to go out like this – living fully and enjoying every moment.
Jesus talks about this kind of life in John 10:10. He is talking to a group of teachers of the law – Pharisees, who often in scripture were rebuked by Jesus for thinking they had all the answers, who lived life by strict man-made laws and regulations. He says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
So... who is the “thief?” The thief is Satan, and he disguises himself in many different ways. Think of things that rob you of a full life. Like the Pharisees, it could be legalism or trying to keep up appearances. It could by an over-booked schedule, your unhealthy friendships that do nothing to build you up and encourage you, your procrastination or laziness, contentment or even greed.
I think of another story in the Bible of a runner of sorts. This man is described as 'a rich, young ruler.' Mark 10:17 says the man saw Jesus while he was on his way somewhere (isn't that a typical picture of Christ – always on a mission, but willing to help those who seek him out along the way). The man ran to Jesus and fell at his knees, asking what he was to do to enter the Kingdom of heaven. It was established that this man was a “good man,” and appeared to have lived a very full life. He was young and wealthy, he had a genuine desire for the Lord, but when Jesus asked him to give up the one thing that had such a grip on him – his wealth, the man walked away sad and unable to commit himself to the Lord.
A full life has nothing to do with our wealth, it's not measured by our trophy case (of which I have zero trophies, so thank goodness for that), it's not even necessarily measured by our accomplishments. I would define a full life as described in John 10.10 as living life with the joy of the Lord. For me, it's finding His purposes in all that I do and abiding by the word as I participate in things that interest me. The Lord definitely has a plan for each of us, and what joy is to be found when you are striving to live every day in the will of the Lord. I think it would be impossible to feel any other way than completely full of life when every step taken is one on the path of God's purposes. Step one: tie up your laces, ladies. There's a full life ahead and our Savior is waiting at the finish line, cheering us on!
“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, scoring it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12.1-2
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