One of my favourite television programmes is ” Race Across the World”. If you watch it you will be used to the pattern but if you don’t, I will explain briefly that 5 couples start off on a journey through a number of countries, with a budget equivalent to the air fare if they were to fly. They are not allowed to use a smart phone, access the internet, or use a credit card. A camera person and production staff member accompany them but cannot give any advice. They pass through a number of checkpoints on their journey, and hope to be the first or second couple to get there. A welcome couple of days is spent catching up.on sleep, showers and washing before the next leg of the race. The first couple to get to the finishing point receive £20,000 but the rest have to look back on the whole experience as their reward.
One of the reasons I enjoy the programme is that it gives me the chance to see and hear about some very interesting countries from the comfort of my armchair. I also like the fact that plane travel is not an option, meaning the travellers have to use their initiative to work out when to use trains, buses or taxis. Nights spent with local families can be particularly meaningful as they connect with local customs and characters. There is a chance to work en route in a local farm or business to earn some much needed cash. One of the frustrations though, is that they are limited in how much sightseeing they can do as there is pressure to get to the next checkpoint and they don’t know how the other couples are getting on. As they travel the contestants hit low points when they worry about decisions they have made and look back on struggles they have had in their lives before going on the race.
In St Paul’s letter to the Philippians he paints a picture of the Christian life as being like a race. ” I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. —Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus”.
In some ways the Christian life resembles” Race Across the world.”. As travellers on the Christian path we often find times when our resources – material or spiritual – run low, and we may struggle to find guidance when making difficult decisions, despite the privilege of prayer. There are low points when past experiences and losses overwhelm us, making us feel we are a failure, or have been unfairly treated.
But in other ways our Christian journey is very different from ” Race Across the World” We don’t have to worry as to whether other travellers on the path are ahead of us, as Jesus has made it very clear that all who believe and trust in him will make it to the end of the race and will receive tbe prize of eternal life. And on the journey we will have some wonderful experiences, meet some special people, and see natural beauty in flowers, birds, trees, mountains and so on.
Times of testing and sadness there will be but our arrival at the finishing point will be even more glorious than it is for the winners of ” Race Across the World”
Prayer. Thank you Father God that you grant us the privilege of travelling on the Christian path if we accept your Son and the life he offers. Please be with us through the highs and lows and bring us to your everlasting kingdom when our race has finished.