The title is a handful. I often hear preachers compare ministry to running a marathon, not a 200-meter sprint. You have to look at your spiritual life for the long run. You have to be persistent, disciplined and persevere.
As someone who ran a few marathons, I often don’t get what the preachers are trying to say. I assume most preachers who use the marathon analogy have never run a marathon.
Here is how I approach a marathon. I ran a few marathons. I did an Ironman triathlon (which includes running a marathon) and two marathons. I did a few half-marathons as well.
Marathon Mentality
A marathon is 42 km long. It is a long race. On the other hand, for shorter distances (5k, 10k, half marathon, etc.), you can willpower your way through it. You can’t do that with a marathon. There are three components when it comes to running a marathon. They are pacing, hydration and nutrition. Pacing is crucial because you can’t run too fast in the beginning. Drinking and eating relates to pacing because if you run too fast, you can’t eat and drink enough to keep you going.
Pacing is hard because, in the beginning, everyone is raring to go. There is the hype of the starting line with every runner. You feel strong because you rest your body after months of training. Loud music and the crowds are cheering you on. In any race, you will see everyone take off at the beginning of the race. However, 1 km later, everyone slows down. There is still 41 km to go. It is a long game.
When it comes to running, 30 km is a unique mark. This is where everyone slows down and suffers. You will feel it now if you don’t run too fast and don’t eat or drink enough. And there is still 12km to go. 12 km is very long when you are suffering.
I treat the first 30 km as a warm-up. I don’t care what everyone else is doing. If a grandpa passed me, sure, let him go and swallow my ego. I focus on keeping within my pace and drink and eat enough so my body can perform at its best. Every 30 minutes, I take a gel (sugar). In between, I will drink Gatorade and water. Altogether, I drink at least 1 litre of liquid.
Once I hit 30 km, the race begins. That’s when I get really serious. And if I can drop the hammer (go out harder), I do. I still keep discipline in eating and drinking until the end.
This is how I approach a marathon or any long endurance race. You can’t just plough your way. Your body doesn’t work that way. It is not mind over matter. It is learning to listen to your body and adjust your race strategy accordingly. Do I not want to go all out? Of course, you can’t do that for the marathon race. No one can go all out in a marathon unless you are a professional runner. Most of us will blow up before we reach the finish line.
So, how is this related to ministry?
Ministry and burnout
I understand the commonality between ministry and running a marathon; it is a long game. But that’s about it. I often hear preachers or pastors encouraging us to keep going, keep our faith, and do the work. But for a marathon, the key is not going all out; it is actually about having the discipline to hold back and not let your ego take over.
Running a marathon is counterintuitive. As much as you go hard and keep running, you also focus on not going too fast that you blow up. When it comes to ministry, I rarely see someone slow down before they burn out.
One thing I know about ministry is that it never ends. There is always a need somewhere. So, if you are not careful, you will work in ministry until you burn out.
Some may see that as suffering for Christ. I tend to see that’s more of one not understanding the need to rest and one’s limit. Mind you, I am not saying that God does not stretch you in ministry at times. I am living in Tanzania as a missionary, and I am constantly being stretched. But there is something to be said about an unhealthy dynamic of work and ministry.
I wish any preachers who use marathon as an analogy run a marathon themselves. It is one thing to talk about it to sound good. But it is another when you actually toe the line and experience it yourself. A half marathon is just as good if a marathon is too long.
If there is one thing I learn from training for marathon, it is the importance of knowing my own limits and learning when to take a rest.