Go Ahead…
…Make Your Mark
In our previous illustration of a runner preparing for a race, we discussed the starter’s command to get “on your marks”. Now it is time to see how the next two commands, “get set” and “go”, illustrate the requirements for us to make a mark for Jesus. Let’s think for a moment about “get set”. 
The runner already has their feet in place on the track. Getting set is the process of positioning the body in an athletic stance, ready to start running at any moment. How does this positioning apply to the Christian desiring to make their mark? Here are 3 ways we can “get set”:
1) Prayer
2) Study
3) Practicing Believing
Prayer is how Jesus started out His day. He got before God the Father, investing time with Him and receiving direction for the work of His ministry. The scriptures reveal many miracles being performed after he invested time in prayer. For example, Mark 6:46 tells us that just before Jesus was seen by walking on the water he had “departed into a mountain to pray”. That visual impression of walking on the water impacted His disciples then and is a faith building example for us today. And prayer was a significant part of it happening.
Study is important as well. We find Jesus at a young age studying by asking questions of the teachers of His day (Luke 2:46). Paul instructs us to study the word of God to show ourselves approved unto God as His workmen (2Tim 2:15). Investing time in prayer and investing time studying God’s word will build faith in us. The final aspect of “getting set” involves using this faith. Practicing believing is our “living by faith” – Gal 3:11. We must live by faith both to please God (Heb 11:6) and to make our mark for Him. This can be accomplished by applying His Word in every situation that we encounter. We won’t get it right every time, but as we continue to be “doers of the Word”, we will grow into mature believers, ready to hear the next call from the starter….GO!
If you’re going to make your mark in the world, you’re going to have to “go”! Jesus told us in Mark 16:15: “Go ye into all the world…” Here are 3 aspects of obeying the command to “go”:
1) Run
2) Endure
3) Heal, Teach, Preach
Running is obviously the key part of any race. It is the action that yields results. Someone has to be declared the winner. But, while running, the body and mind can get tired and want to quit. This is where endurance comes in. It is one thing to start running as fast as you can, but quite another to maintain that pace. Hebrews 12:1 says “let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” The word “patience” in the Greek means “endurance”. So keep a steady pace. If you fall down in your run for God, that’s OK. Just get back up and run.
So with what purpose are we “running” to make our mark for God? The answer can be found in Matt 4:23:
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
Our call to “go” is to do the works that Jesus did (John 14:12). He taught, preached and healed. This standard has not changed. He has given to us His Holy Spirit and his written Word to help us accomplish the task of impacting others with God’s love. So, if you have gotten on your mark (taken your place as a son or daughter of God, taken your place in the authority Christ gave us, and taken your place in the righteousness of God) and if you have gotten set (trough prayer, study and practicing believing) and if you have obeyed the starter’s call to “go” (by running the race with endurance and doing the work of the ministry), then and only then will you leave a mark for God and change the world around you. Be encouraged as God is with you to help you throughout the processes. So get on your marks, get set, and go!!!
