To the One who Overcomes

As a runner, I am often shooting to set new goals, run a new distance, set a personal record on a certain course.  Last week I think I set a new personal record for the coldest I've ever gotten while running.  I think a part of the sport of running has a lot to do with overcoming hurdles and setting new boundaries.  While very little of my running ever has to do with beating others, it has a lot to do with overcoming.
 
I am not very name-brand loyal about shoes or running gear (usually buy what is on sale), but I have always kind of liked Nike.  Their advertising is pretty briliant (check out the video below...), and Niketown is amazing.  But one of the things that I have always liked about Nike is the name.  In Greek, the word νικη (which reads nike) means "one who overcomes or conquers, the victor." 
 
So when we turn to consider a very powerful and mysterious set of promises in Revelation 2-3, we see 7 promises given to the 7 churches.  These promises are both beautiful and confusing, and I'm not sure what they are really promising in some cases.  The seven repeated promises belonging to the

νικη suggests a real importance that God places on our living victoriously.  Further on in Revelation, there is one more very clear promise to the one who overcomes:

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. - Rev 21:7

It is tempting to look at my life and say "I'm not strong enough, brave enough, consistent enough, disciplined enough to be a conqueror." We can most all of us honestly conclude this.  However, we also have some amazing promises about the victory available to us through Christ 

• I John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
• Isa 54:17 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper...
• Rom 8:37 - Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
• II Cor 2:14 - Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ...
• Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Running is a very simple sport.  It is simply putting one foot in front of the other, and finding the will and inpiration to press on.  Overcoming in running really is quite simple.  So also, there is something amazingly similar to overcoming in life.  Since the victory comes from Jesus, our path to victory is walking with Him, simply putting one foot in front of the other and receiving from Him the will and inspiration to press on.