The moment was a game-changer.
Tuesday night January 14, 1986. Riding in a car with Eddie somewhere between Searcy and Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Eddie had graciously picked me up well after dark at the bus depot and it was a least a two hour drive back to Harding’s campus. At the time he was my best friend and running mate. We logged numerous miles and hours the three plus years we ran together. He’d stand next to me on many occasions, and the most important occasion was when he stood by me at my wedding.
As we left the terminal, we talked about Christmas break and what we did during the holiday season. I told him about my three day ride on the Greyhound bus. Eventually, the conversation turned to our running and how disappointed we were in our performance during the cross country season.
Over the Christmas break Eddie’s mind was working the problem. Our morning runs were out of focus, and I had skipped (i.e. slept in) far too many of them. We had avoided serious weight training and were lacking the necessary strength. Our technique needed perfected. We relied too much on our abilities and not enough on our discipline. In short, we had been training like we were high school boys instead of college men.
Eddie had a plan to address each of these flaws. Morning runs were not an option as we had a five mile course we tackled each weekday at 6:00. One hour before practice (M-W-F), we were in the weight room getting stronger. Before going to bed we challenged each other to 100 sit-ups. After our long runs we were doing technique drills. The more Eddie talked the more excited we got. I was all in and it was going to be a game-changer, until Eddie said, “We start tomorrow.”
I looked at him. I was tired. Three days on the bus wore me out. I wanted to sleep in a decent place and in my own bed. I finally spoke, “Let’s start this Thursday.”
How many times have we said that? We really want to lose the weight, but not today. We want to save money, but not until we spend the cash in our hands. We believe we need more dedication to the assembly, but we’ll start next week. We know we need to meet Jesus in baptism, but we’ve got plenty of time.
Eddie responded, “Jon. If we don’t start in the morning, we won’t start.”
As I reflected on his statement, he couldn’t have been more right. Too many times we have a desire and passion but not enough to implement. We make a good talk; we fail to follow through with a good walk.
The Hebrews writer pulls us into clear focus. He reminds us to act in the present, because if you delay your heart will harden and your resolve will weaken.
Today if you hear his voice ● Do not harden your hearts ● As you did in the rebellion (Ps. 95:7-8; Heb.3:15 [3:7-8; 4:7b])
Where Israel failed in the faith, the author is holding out hope that our resolve will kick in to act so that our “good intentions” will begin bearing faithful fruit.
The Hebrews’ writer isn’t trying to convert his readers, but his message is applicable to conversion (i.e. “Commit your life to Jesus in baptism today!). He’s exhorting Christians who have fallen behind and contemplating giving up to get back in the race. They need to make that decision today without putting it off any longer.
I agreed with Eddie as we implemented our plan. Through our resolve we had the best track season in our career. The moment was our game-changer, and with some resolve, it can be yours too.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified)