The First Mile and the Last Mile

I have been teaching 8th graders about justification and sanctification.  It is a difficult concept for them, but it is crucial for them to differentiate between the two.  While I was running my 9.3 practice miles for the Gate, I stumbled upon (in my mind) an interesting analogy involving the first mile and the last mile.  They are, at least for me as a runner, the most important in a race.  They should be viewed as the most important in the Christian's race as well.

In running, the first mile is important.  It is the one that gets you off the couch and hitting the pavement.  The first mile for the Christian is putting your faith in Jesus Christ.  This places in the narrow path that leads to heaven.  John 14:6 illustrates the margins of that path. "No man cometh to the father except by Me", Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  When we put our faith in Christ, God sees us as righteous, just as if we had never sinned.  As Christians, this is the beginning of our journey.

No runner wants to walk his last mile, especially not the finish line.  He wants to run across the line.  Paul speaks often of his desires for his last mile.  In Acts 20 he is telling of his trials and ends by saying "None of these things move me".  He was not distracted by his difficulties in life, he knew who he believed and was persuaded that He would finish His work (2 Tim 1:12, Phil 1:6).  Paul was not ashamed when he ran into heaven because he was not ashamed of the gospel here on earth.

If the first mile and the last mile are most important, does that mean those middle ones don't matter.  Absolutely not.  If I, as a runner, go too fast or try to do too much, I may become weary and stumble.  As a consequence, I might walk, stumble or crawl across the finish line, making me ashamed of my performance.  It is those middle miles in our Christian life that will keep us from not being ashamed before Christ when we conclude our last mile.

This is where an understanding of sanctification is important.  It is the act of turning from the world to God. (2 Cor 5:17).  These "good works" are not necessary for justification, but should be a result.  Just like the middle miles for a runner, you must prepare.  Your preparation for those miles in your Christian walk comes from God's Word.  Here you will find the plan for your life.  Follow it.

What I learned from Eighth Graders

My posts are sporadic. My life is very busy, that is a good thing, but it does impair my creativity. In December, I resigned from th DCPS. I felt like I was too old to fight that battle. I had never in my life been to public school. I had never worked in the public sector. I had never personally been exposed to Unions. I didn't know your employer could deduct money from your check to put in a retirement account for you, without your permission. And I had certainly never been exposed to grade recovery, compass odyssey, limelight, alt cert, and th list goes on. I was definitely on foreign soil. I really had some great students and colleagues, but I guess I am more of a free enterprise kind of gal. When I was offered the job at a private school, I took it.

Here is where eighth graders enter. I teach ninth grade Economics and eighth grade Bible. I have never taught eighth grade and only taught ninth a few times. Eighth graders are a strange breed. Here is what I have found to be true, not necessarily in order of importance.

In order for something to be heard, it must be repeated at least 5 times per student.

In order for students to notice the homework assignment written on the board, it has to be multicolored with stars around it, and that is only good once and for just a few observant kids. The next time you have to find another way to make it stant out.

When called out for talking, it is never their fault and they are not the only one.

Arguments can go on for days.

Read is a four letter word.

Their notebook is always in their locker

When a child has his hand raised during discussion, it is probably to go to the restroom, not to answer the question.

Drama, drama, drama, life is so full of drama.


They contain copious amounts of energy and really don't have a lick of sense, but they don't claim to know anything, that will come next year in ninth grade.