The Danger of Looking Back

British athlete, Roger Bannister, was the first person to run the mile in less than four minutes. This he did in May 1954. The very next month, John Landy of Australia topped this record by 1.4 seconds.

On the 7th of August of that same year, at Vancouver, British Columbia, the two athletes met for a historic race. There was tremendous excitement and interest in the brace. For weeks before the newspapers had been giving it a big build up, describing it as "the race of the century." The big day arrived. Nobody paid any attention to the other runners. The question was simply, who would win, Bannister or Landy?

As they moved into the last lap, the other contestants were lagging far behind. Landy was ahead. It looked as though he would win. As Landy neared the finishing line, he was haunted by the question: "Where is Bannister? Finally, he could stand the strain no longer. He looked over his shoulder. As he did so, his step faltered. Bannister surged past him to break the tape. Interviewed by a Time magazine reporter after the race Landy said. "I would have won that race, if only I hadn't looked back."

What a tragedy when people who are doing well and running the race of life with success suddenly stumble and falter.  Maybe they have taken their eyes off the finishing line.  Maybe they looked back longingly at the things they have given up.  As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?” Galatians 5.7. How sad when a committed follower of Jesus loses their way and is not able to finish the race victorious.
 
“Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62, NLT)