The Red Lantern

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a long-distance sled dog race that covers 1000 miles of the roughest terrain with jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra, and miles of windswept coast. This is on top of temps that are far below zero and vision-impacting winds. It challenges participants both physically and mentally as it requires problem-solving, exerting all efforts, and pushing forward as they face unique challenges. Completing this race is far from an easy feat.

The average time it takes to complete this race is 8 to 10 days. The longest record time for completion is 32 days, 15 hours, nine minutes, and one second set by John Schultz.

Many had completed the race before him, and some had given up completely and dropped out of the race.

But as he crossed the finish line, Schultz received a Red Lantern.

This Red Lantern is given to the last participant to cross the finish line and serves as a symbol of grit, perseverance, and determination. Usually, the participant is aware that they are going to finish last, but instead of dropping out, they keep going and push on to finish the race. It is a celebration by their fellow racers that the recipient of the Red Lantern had faced all the obstacles to complete the harrowing course.

This race that we call life can throw so many unexpected events, twists, and turns in our path. We may find ourselves climbing many mountains, seeking shelter in valleys, and fighting through things that we never imagined happening.

Jesus shares the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

The Master entrusted a servant with five talents, one with two talents, and another with just one talent. The servants with five and two talents both doubled what they were entrusted with. Because of their faith and their ability to take what was committed to them and invest it, even though one servant presented ten talents and the other four, they both received the same reward.

 “Well done, good and faithful servant,” the Master affirmed. They were praised, promised greater responsibility, and welcomed in the Lord’s own personal joy.

The servant with the one talent had buried it in the ground. He did not even try to run the race because of His fear and distrust. He gave up before he even began. He didn’t move forward with what he had been given. This displeased the Lord.

We may trip, stumble, and collect cuts, scrapes, and bruises along this race. We may meet roadblocks that change how we see ourselves running this race.

We cannot give into fear. We cannot play it safe. We need to keep going so that we can proclaim 2 Timothy 4:7.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

We cannot give into fear. We cannot play it safe. We need to keep going so that we can proclaim 2 Timothy 4:7.

Summer Still

There is no first and last place. Nor trophies, medals, or plaques.

It doesn’t matter what is before or behind us. Whether you have had an easy run or are crossing the finish line completely depleted of yourself…you made it.

You have fought the good fight.

You finished the course.

You kept the faith.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

It doesn’t matter what is before or behind us. Whether you have had an easy run or are crossing the finish line completely depleted of yourself…you made it.

Summer Still