Plodders and Sprinters
The story of the tortoise and the hare is a classic illustration of a very common scenario. The hare’s attitude grew out of his ability to run very fast. He was a sprinter. He could go very fast for short bursts of time. The tortoise, on the other hand, was slow and plodding. He was constant and persistent, though he was not fast.
The tortoise and the hare met one day for a race. When the bell rang, the race began. The hare ran ahead immediately and took a huge lead. The tortoise just plodded along. The tortoise realized how far ahead he was and decided to take a break. He got something to drink and eat and sat down.
By and by, he saw the hare coming up the way. He jumped up and headed out again. He sprinted for a while increasing his lead again. Now, it was time to take a nap. He had an insurmountable lead. He would nap for a while and, just when the tortoise thought he was going to win, the hare would sprint to the finish line and taste the sweet aroma of victory.
The hare did indeed lie down to nap. The tortoise continued his slow but steady pace. He came within sight of the hare, but the hare did not see him. He had fallen into a deep sleep and did not wake up until the tortoise was just about to cross the finish line. The hare was devastated, but he had no one to blame but himself.
We are in a race of our own. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Paul’s life is an example of steady plodding all the way to the end of his life. He was confident about the end of his life. He wrote about the Christian race that he and all of us must run. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:6-8).
We are racing for the finish line of the end of time. On that day, the books will be opened and we will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ. The victors in the race will be those whose patience and determination moved them to hang on through the difficult times. The plodders, not the sprinters, will be the victors at the end of time. It is time to start plodding and not sprinting. Remember, it is important how you finish.
