The race Christ ran.

Today, we ran a race dedicated to our Mission Mom, Sister Bunker. Our zone headed to the hills of San Rafael for a 5k hike/walk/run. We started out at an enthusiastic walking pace, and then all of a sudden the group decided to start jogging. We ran for a while, but it wasn't long before I was exhausted and gave up the whole running thing. You see, I don't really like running or hiking for that matter. So I was content to hang out in the back of the group with my companion, walking at a comfortable pace.

Further on in our "race" for Sister Bunker, they started doing an "Indian run." An indian run is when the whole group walks/jogs in a single file line. The last person then runs or sprints up to the front of the line, and then the new last person runs and this keeps going as long as you would like. We had done it twice, and I had given up. I was the last one, and there was no way I was going to run to the front of the line. I was done and content where I was. The Elders at the end of the line continued to nag me about running. They tried many different ways to persuade me to get going. Nothing seemed to work. And then, Elder Noris said,

"Do it for Sister Bunker."

I looked at him, and said, "Okay. Here I go." And started running. As I ran, I yelled,

                                                  "THIS IS FOR SISTER BUNKER!!!!"

I was thinking about this experience and the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. In Matthew 26:39, it says:

 "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: "

Jesus Christ passed through the most difficult trial that ever existed. He didn't want to drink of the bittercup. He didn't want to run the race - it was hard, painful and agonizing. In that same verse, he says:

"Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

He ran the race anyways. He ran it for us. I am sure as he was suffering he was thinking of all of us individually, "Do it for Hermana McKay. Do it for Sarah. Do it for David." He dedicated the longest, hardest race ever ran to us. He loves us. He ran for us.