Itineration Story

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

A few weeks ago Josh and I visited a very small country church that no longer has a pastor but as a body, a family and as a team they have kept the church functioning! Their Pastor has Alzheimer's and is now in a nursing home. Her sweet husband asked if we would go visit her because she was very lonely. The couple did not have any children and apparently did not have any family near by. Josh and I took the time to buy her some flowers and go see her. She was very fragile and not very responsive. There was not much we could do so we prayed with her and sang a couple of hymns. It turned out to be a really special time. Even though we didn't know this woman personally we knew about her life of servanthood and the many years she had devoted to pastoring her church. As she lay in her bed so fragile her spirit responded to the songs of worship. In some instances she sang along with us as the words stroke a familiar chord in her heart. I had no doubt that this woman had her eyes fixed on Jesus and was running the race until the finish line to receive her eternal reward. In the midst of her illness she had not grown weary and had not lost heart to worship her maker while on this earth.


Hebrews 12:1-3

1 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

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