:24:10
You came to see a race today.
:24:12
To see someone win.
:24:15
It happened to be me.
:24:17
But I want you to do more
than just watch a race.
:24:21
I want you to take part in it.
:24:24
I want to compare faith to running in a race.
:24:29
It's hard.
:24:31
It requires concentration of will.
:24:34
Energy of soul.
:24:38
You experience elation
:24:40
when the winner breaks the tape,
:24:42
especially if you've got a bet on it.
:24:46
But how long does that last?
:24:48
You go home. Maybe your dinner's burnt.
:24:52
Maybe you haven't got ajob.
:24:55
So who am I to say believe,
:24:58
have faith, in the face of life's realities?
:25:02
I would like to give you
something more permanent
:25:05
but I can only point the way.
:25:08
I have no formula for winning the race.
:25:11
Everyone runs in her own way
:25:13
or his own way.
:25:15
And where does the power come from
to see the race to its end?
:25:20
From within.
:25:23
Jesus said,
:25:25
"Behold, the kingdom of God is within you. "
:25:31
"If with all your hearts ye truly seek me,
:25:35
ye shall ever surely find me. "
:25:37
If you commit yourself
:25:40
to the love of Christ,
:25:43
then that is how you run a straight race.
:25:53
Cheers. Thanks for coming.