Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (N.I.V.)

 So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! (The Message).

I have never been a great runner, but I discovered quite early on that, although I wasn’t fast, I could plod. I have a vivid memory from my teen years, of taking part in an inter-house cross-country run at school. I came close to last in the places, but I was nevertheless in the points, and my house scraped a win in the competition. I realise today, more than ever, that my P.E. master, Mr. Goodwin, was an outstanding psychologist, because he told me my house won because of me! His point was, of course, that I made an important contribution, and without it my house would have fallen short. But it makes me realise what a difference the right words from a wise coach can make to a runner.

Warren Wiersbe writes:

‘Hebrews 12:12-13 sound like a coach’s orders to his team! Lift up your hands! Strengthen those knees (Isa.35:3)! Get those lazy feet on the track (Prov.4:26)! On your mark, get set, GO!’ (‘New Testament Commentary’, p.840).

We have the privilege and responsibility to be coaches to one another in this ‘marathon’. It’s certainly not a sprint. We can help each other to keep moving towards the tape.

”And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…encouraging one another…” (10:24,25).