The Son Run Isn’t Cancelled

For the first time in Tap Nights albeit brief history, we were going to participate in the Vancouver Sun Run. And oh, let me tell you—we were pumped. We came up with a team name: “Nights in Tights” (…don’t ask). We began to regularly train together for the run. And why did we want to do this? Because, it was a fun thing to do! And I know that for some running 10K is not your idea of fun, it sounds more like torture. But we thought it was a nice way to get out there with 60,000 other people, to be active and involved in a Vancouver-y thing to do. Another reason is because running is a fitting illustration of following Jesus. Eugene Peterson, who was a big runner himself, called discipleship “a long obedience in the same direction.”

That sounds like an apt description of running as well.

Therefore, following Jesus involves a lot of training and strengthening our faith muscles to go the distance and be transformed more and more into the image of Jesus. He invites all of us to run his race with him. A few years ago, when I was a wee little pastoral intern at Tap Marpole, I even preached a sermon on Hebrews 12:1-3, on the day of the Sun Run, titled “The Son Run” (get it? Because…Jesus.)

And so, imagine our disappointment when the Vancouver Sun Run, scheduled for April 19, was cancelled. We understood and fully agreed with the decision. But we were still disappointed.

And yet, even though the Sun Run was cancelled, the Son Run isn’t cancelled.

Listen to the writer of Hebrews:
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame…Consider him…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Here is the good news: Jesus carves out a path, the Son Run, so that we can all become Sons and Daughters of the Glorious God (Hebrews 2:10). We were “the joy set before him” that compelled him to run and complete his race.

And that’s why we can keep going and persevering in this difficult pandemic season. Not on our own or by our own strength. But because this Jesus runs––not just for us but with us. He is encouraging and leading us. And he shows us that nothing, not the burdens of life, not the sin that so easily entangles, not distractions, not disappointment, not doubt, not disease, not even death, can stop this Jesus from bringing us home to the finish line.

So friends, keep training in the way of Jesus together. Keep running. We’ve got a ways to go. But we aren’t doing this alone. The Son Run isn’t cancelled. And Jesus is running with us, every step of the way.

Michael Yang is the campus pastor of The Tapestry Nights
Photo: Mārtiņš Zemlickis