The Unfolding Marathon: Perseverance, Triumph, and the Divine Providing of Strength

By Ilyana Sithole

We all know Jabu Hlongwane’s song “There Is a Race”, we all sang, others as a chorus,others as a hymn, well, I woke up this morning singing it and it got me thinking. As the song reverberated along the corridors of my heart, I heard a clarion call to perseverance and invincible faith. It is a song which overreaches, a map to the soul that helps chart the web of complexities of life. The beauty of this song, “There’s a race that I must run, there are victories to be won, give me power, every hour, to be true,” is the vision that we see here on earth of our spiritual existence: not a sprint but a marathon that requires perseverance, patience, and a strong hold of our spiritual wealth.

This is not our own individual own race for which we are running. As so beautifully said in Hebrews 12:1-2, we too are enveloped with a “great cloud of witnesses,” individuals who came before us, their own race ran, whose witness is a testament to the potential of faith. They’re the lighthouse before us, crying out don’t be afraid in the dark, remembering that we are part of something greater, an active legacy of believers racing to the prize.

The “wars to be won” are not material or worldly victories. They are spiritual: victorious over the battle with sin, patient, forgiving others, and keeping Christ’s love burning in our everyday interactions. These are mile markers along the way, tangible evidence that God is working in us.

The “power every hour” shout is a testament to our own frailty as human beings. We are not self-sufficient; we are dependent on divine power. The power is not given at the beginning but is a continuous supply, an daily supply of spiritual power. It is when we are low, when we require it most, that God’s power is over in us, testifies Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

The call and response, as the lead Jabu calls, “There is a race”, the backing vocalist respond, “there’s a race that I must run” is more than a song; it’s symbolic of our brotherhood. We are a band of believers, running together, supporting one another on, lifting each other up, and holding one another accountable. We are a choir, each singer adding their voice to the symphony of harmonious faith.

The race is not a stroll in the park (it will never be easy). We will experience moments of doubt, moments when the way forward is not clear – we will lose hope due to the doubt. But in Isaiah 40:31 our strength is renewed by the reassurance that, they “who wait on 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.” It’s no political slogan, but an umbilical cord, a vein of unyielding hope in the midst of travail.

Let us pray:
Almighty Heavenly Father, we pray unto you in consideration that we need your grace. We are grateful for setting this race of faithfulness, endurance race, and ultimate victory race before us. We request your guidance to take us through, wisdom to guide us, and your love to drive us. Assist us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who began this good work in us and will finish the acceptable work in him, and following in the path before us without turning aside. Walk with us almighty God, hold us by your hands in all that we are to go through, and give us your peace. Help us to be a light to the world, and let your love and grace shine through us in all that we do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Here are affirmations for this week’s race:
* I see the path of faith with unshakeable commitment.
* I am becoming stronger more and more each day through the power of God to overcome every obstacle.
* I celebrate victories won through the power of Christ which works in me.
* I look to Jesus, hope, and savior.
* I am strengthened by the fellowship of faith and strengthen others too.
* I will meet each new dawn with fresh vigor and unshakeable faith in God’s presence.
* I am God’s instrument of love, his light upon the world around me.
* I will seek and find the successes which God placed before me.
* Expectation that God will give me the strength to remain steadfast in him.
* My faith keeps growing stronger with each passing day.