My brother runs ultramarathons – endurance events that test physical and emotional stamina to the limit. Often the Christian life can feel like running a different kind of ultramarathon – one that lasts a lifetime.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews uses the analogy of a race to describe the Christian life:

‘And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith’ (Hebrews 12:1b-2a).

Notice that this is a corporate call – let us run. Together. When the Christian life gets really hard, we need running companions, not extra cheerleaders.

Over the years, I’ve been joined on the ultramarathon trail to the promised land by numerous Christian friends, same-sex attracted and otherwise. It’s often really tough, but there’s a sense of solidarity in all knowing that the trail is getting us to where we want to be, and we are doing it together. One of the saddest and hardest things for me has been when my same-sex attracted friends have given up on the race.

‘You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?’ (Galatians 5:7).

To carry on the analogy, it’s like they’ve found an encampment where people are singing songs and playing games around the campfire, eating lovely food, laughing, swimming in the lake, and sleeping underneath the stars. It looks absolutely idyllic, and many of my friends over the years have decided to stay there while I and my other friends have decided to press on with the run.

The going is tough and the path is often hard. Sometimes I’m running through the night or up a steep section in the fog. Sometimes it’s cold and I lose the feeling in my limbs. And it can often be lonely. Sometimes there are marshals at the checkpoint giving me food and cheering me on. But what I value most is people by my side running the race with me. Otherwise, it’s really hard not to want to be round that campfire, enjoying the singing and the companionship.

The thing is that I know it all turns very Lord of the Flies. The community will disintegrate with jealousy and selfishness. The food will rot. The fire will get out of control. The lake will flood. Everybody’s life will be in danger. And I know that the path I’m on, the ultramarathon I’m running, may be hard and rocky and lonely at times but it is leading to a campfire paradise and wonderful community that will be perfect and last forever. And along the way there are pure joys as I realise how far God’s brought me and take in the vistas from the mountain tops.

I’m pressing on for the prize, not some temporary pleasure.

I’m pressing on for the prize, not some temporary pleasure. I want to be like Moses who ‘chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin’ (Hebrews 11:25).

Here’s my encouragement to my fellow same-sex attracted Christians who are finding the going tough and are tempted to give up: Let’s take up the call of Christ, articulated by Paul the Apostle,

‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:13b-14).

There are steep slopes and dark nights, but there are also breathtaking views and glorious summits along the way, and the finish line is in sight.

Adapted from 'Hiking the Trail to the Promised Land' at annewitton.uk.