Pastor John Granchie.

I love fall …September always feels like a HUGE CHANGE in the calendar – schools are all back in session, amusement parks are closing for the season, football is in the air, Walmart and Target have jumped into Christmas crazy mode and you can get pumpkin spice EVERYTHING.

Fall seems to be a time when people find their way back to church after their summer calendars have been packed with all kinds of activities. It’s a time to get back into the race of life as Hebrews 12:1 says, “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.”

The “race,” then, is the Christian life. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and we are called to stay the course and remain faithful to the end. Paul used this same imagery near the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.

The race is “set before us;” we did not select the path; God has established it. This race we run is for Christ. We must stay the course despite trials and persecutions knowing life will get hard at times and the race will be long. As we run, we must “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, knowing He will never leave us or forsake us.

No matter how long the race may be, we keep our eyes on Jesus knowing that there is great joy awaiting us at the finish line. Maybe a daily routine of prayer, worship, reading God’s Word and examining our lives to see if we line up with Christlike behaviors will keep us on track. Look for ways to serve your community in ways that may lead people to Christ. Most of all trust and obey The Lord as He leads you through this Fall Season and finish the race strong.

In Christ’s Love.

John Granchie is the pastor of Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook.