The Runner's Creed

The Runners Creed

Runners take your mark, get set and GO!
Run hard, run fast, and don’t become slow.
With each powerful stroke to realize,
That you compete solely for the prize.
Do not lose the faith or become blind
By not focusing on the finish line.

Runners your first lap is now complete!
But it’s a struggle as you continually compete,
This race doesn’t seem nearly as short
When you decided to join this grueling sport.
Endure through all this wretched pain —
Because a half-hearted stroke is a competitor’s gain.

Your lungs are on fire, as you gasp for air
Agony is mental, but you’re living on a prayer.
Despair and hope have one thing they share
It depends on how well the runner has prepared
Push your thoughts away and you will find—
That concentration will bring you clarity of mind.

Crowds leave in boredom while you continue to run –
They failed to notice that you had only just begun
Even though you’ve raced now for years
Through joys, trials, and the tears—
These distractions will not cause you to resign
For you know there is only one finish line.

Keep your eyes focused on Him who guides
Match each stroke of His, stride for stride.
When you finally cross that line,
At His predetermined time
He will say to you with a smile,
“You ran well, my wonderful child.”

--

By Greg Butz
April 2, 2009


This poem is just a reflection on the last track meet and my own experiences with running. We all know that life isn’t a sprint, it is quite a distance, but it requires us to continue to run. We race to compete and to win a prize, and as Christians our focus is supposed to be solely upon Him. So keep running runners!