“If this were EASY, everybody would be doing it.” That is a quote offered by many, I say it often, it is attributed to many, but isn’t directly from one person. “Jimmy Dugan” in “A League of Their Own” said it, but it wasn’t original to him. The sentiment and understanding is important.

Oswald Chambers said, “we have to remember that all noble things are difficult… the Christian life is gloriously difficult, but the difficulty does not make us faint or cave in, it rouses us up to overcome.”

I set my sights/heart four years ago on running a marathon – not because it was easy, but BECAUSE it was Hard. I put in the miles, dealt with a myriad of pains and challenges, then went and did it. I Ran a Marathon! I was 58 years old. People would say, “I heard you are a marathoner.” I said, “no I ran a marathon.” But about a month later, I had booked for number TWO. Now I have done Three, now I say, “I RUN marathons”, because it’s easy? Nope – it is still very hard.

I had a stroke 6 weeks ago, and guess what, it’s hard(er) to run, but Lord willing… I will run #4. Last week I signed up for 2026 Ventura “Mountains2Beach”

Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate… how narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”

Training for running marathons, for me, involves not as much prep as some people, but it is still about 800 miles a year, and I run about eight other races of varying lengths throughout the year, 5k, 4mi, 7k, 5mi, 10k, and 1/2 marathons are all part of the path.

Jesus says in Matthew 7, “every good tree produces good fruit… many will say, ‘Lord, Lord’, but only the one who does the will of my Father will enter Heaven.”

When I register for a race, my name gets on the list, I get a number. When I check in, I get a shirt, but the MEDAL comes when I FINISH.

Chambers, about this passage, says, “Do we SO appreciate the marvelous salvation of Jesus Christ THAT we ARE our Utmost for his Highest.”

Praise God we don’t have to complete the “Race” to Receive Salvation… Jesus paid it all — Yet…

… do we SO appreciate our salvation THAT we ARE all we can be… Our Utmost for his Highest?

I want to hear “well done, good and faithful servant.” – that’s the “medal” I seek. I can’t earn my salvation, but I want him to feel like his sacrifice was worth it for me. I want to give everything, my all, my best, as a sign of my deep appreciation, gratitude, for his Highest Gift of Grace.

Chambers says, “we are not to be milksops… but have a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ.”

Our Savior, who was heading to the cross to die for my sin, said, “take up your cross and follow me”.

Again quoting Chambers, “His salvation is a glad thing, but it also tests us for all we are worth.”

Let’s GO, if you call yourself a “Follower of Jesus”, don’t use that title unless we are willing to DO it.

*today I quote extensively from Oswald Chamber’s most famous writings “My Utmost for His Highest” – Yesterday, July 7, is the devotion which has the “namesake” quote in it. Chambers died at a young 43. His wife, Biddy Chambers, used to take shorthand notes when he spoke, and she compiled the devotional book that is read by countless millions every day. I have used it for more than 40 years and strongly recommend it