Run the race

Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV — Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

These words are extremely meaningful to me.

I enjoyed participating in track as an elementary student.

But the real emotion comes from the memories of our daughters.

Both Sis and Bell ran track in highschool and they both competed at the State level.

It was something they took very seriously.

They trained, not just at practice, but on their own as well.

They were mindful of their diet and sleep routines.

Track wasn’t just a thing they did on certain days, it was a way of thinking and acting and it paid off.

Both won many races, because they ran the race to win.

Our race is similar, although it’s not normally something we schedule and attend as an event.

Rather, it’s a choice, a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way to order our standards.

And Jesus Christ is our example in it all.

He ran first and best and paved the way for all those who would choose to follow.

There will be mockers, those who speak words of discouragement, telling us it’s not worth the effort.

There will be spectators, those who will stand outside the race, watching how we run.

There will be fellow runners, other believers who are running this race beside us.

I once heard a Christian lady on the radio talk about those fellow runners.

She said, “Look beside yourself, at those who are running with you. If they are not going all out for Jesus then you aren’t either. Find others who are running after Christ with everything they have.”

Why is that important?

Because it’s those who run the race, eyes focused on Christ, giving all they have, who win.

I want to be able to speak the words of Paul when my race is ending.

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV — I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your encouragement. Lord, these words are so inspiring! Please help me to run this race with endurance. Please help me to be free from the snares of sin and the flesh, that I might run well, honoring You in all things. Lord Jesus, there are many things I don’t understand and areas I’m waiting upon You for, please help me to be diligent with the tasks at hand while waiting. I trust You and I thank You for Your Word. I look to You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for salvation! Lord, I know I can rest and wait patiently upon You for all things. Thank You for understanding what I need and granting me the opportunity to stretch and learn. Lord, I lift up those who are dear to my heart and humbly request You fulfill all their needs. I trust You with each one and thank You that they are Yours. Lord, for those who have yet to know You, please open the door that they might see the light. Open their understanding, that they might readily accept Your salvation. Open those things which have them trapped in the enemy’s grip, that they might escape destruction and instead find eternal life. Thank You, Jesus, for all these things. Thank You for running the race and finishing well! Please help me to do the same. Thank You! Amen.

When you can’t

She was thrilled.

Sissy had brought the track shirt she had worn when part of the best relay team she was ever on.

Bell knew it instantly.

And was excited to wear it to Districts.

All season boils down to one meet.

Districts is where you either make it to State or your season is finished.

I watched Bell prepare to leave with joy.

Even though I had to tell her,

“I can’t.”

My health wasn’t going to allow me the freedom to travel or watch her compete.

She understood.

And the Lord gave me peace even though I really wanted to be there.

Instead of praying from the side of the track or near the finish line, I prayed from my chair in the livingroom.

I checked my phone for texts.

I eagerly waited.

Looking forward to any information, because no matter what place I’m proud of our daughter.

And God was with me throughout.

He talked to me.

He helped me see circumstances through trust.

Through His peace I was able to ignore the words of fear, which tried to rally self-pity.

Although I wasn’t there,

I was supporting our Bell.

And God stepped in.

He blessed her again.

She heads to State on Friday to run in two events.

They are preliminary races,

to see who will run on Saturday.

I’m trusting the Lord for His strength and the ability to be present this time.

All year long Bell and I have prayed together before each race.

We have asked God to give her the ability to do her very best.

Not for our glory,

not for her glory,

but to bring glory to God.

And He has.

No matter what happens Friday or Saturday,

we will continue to proclaim the greatness of God.

He is the reason our Bell can run.

And as she runs again,

we realize we can’t.

We can’t race.

We can’t win.

We can only trust.

No matter the outcome,

we will give glory to God.

In Jesus’s hands

Here’s Bell and her track coach.

It had been a very busy meet, but God had carried her through.

I stood along side the track in various places for the majority of the day.

I cheered.

But mostly I prayed.

Bell was running three events.

Which she has done before, but this was a much higher level than we are used to.

The 100 meter was the first race.

We knew there was another runner who had a better time than Bell.

Yet, she wasn’t concerned about that.

She had set her goal on breaking 13.

When the gun went off she burst out of the blocks.

As she ran down the track I was excited and yet nervous.

She crossed the finish line just behind the first place girl.

I was thrilled!

Yet, the edge of the race was hindered in my heart by worry.

-What about the next two races?-

So, I prayed.

And I continued to lift her up to the Lord as I watched her run the 400.

I praised God when she took 4th.

But as I stood alone on the corner waiting for the 200 God spoke to my worrying heart.

I’m holding her in My hand.

That was all.

Nothing is as important.

She ran the 200 and took 3rd.

As I thanked God for His blessing her so much I was reminded of why worry is a sin.

It robs me of trust and steals my joy.

If she had come in last on all three races God is still holding her and I will still love her.

As I humbly thanked the Lord for the reminder we gathered our things to leave.

Smiles all around, we went to say “goodbye” to the coaches.

It was here that the Lord showed me just how unnecessary worry is.

Her coach looked down at her and said,

“You know, you broke the school record in the 100 today.”

(She had run a 12.84)

-wow-

Thank You Jesus for holding each of us in Your hand, both in adversity and in blessings.

Racing

That’s our Bell.

This was her final race of the day.

I stood expectantly.

Holding her water, sweats, and other shoes.

Chest heaving, she knuckled the racers on either side.

I still waited at the sideline.

After the official gave permission for each participant to leave their lane, she turned towards me.

Breath still in gasps, but she looked glad.

One of her team yelled from the other side of the track, congratulating her on her win.

Her voice wasn’t heard in response.

She simply smiled and pointed.

One index finger was all she used, but they got the message.

The win belonged to the Lord.

As others congratulated her she responded with:

“It’s all the Lord. He has really blessed me.”

And I took my cue from her example.

Each opportunity to share how the day went I began with:

“the Lord really blessed her…”.

Because it is true.

Yes, she has trained,

hard,

but her ability to compete is a gift from God.

The opportunity to be a member of the team is a gift from God.

The local Charter school which works with our family of homeschoolers is a gift from God.

And the shear determination to put out the hours of training our Bell has done, it too is a gift from God.

Nothing we do, no effort, achievement, or inspiration is separate from the Creator.

We are His and He gives each of us differently the blessings we enjoy daily.

What an incredible God He is!

Praise the Lord for His daily blessings.

Especially yesterday, as I was reminded to always

point to Him.

Run

I know,
they don’t look like running shoes.

Yet,
as I strap these on,
it is with the understanding,
that the race is about to begin.

No I’m not running the 100,
200, 400, or longer,
it’s the relay.

I am holding the baton,
and each day I strive to pass it on to the children in my life.

Yet as I run I understand that I won’t really know if they take hold or if they drop it.

Because the baton is a life relationship with Christ and the race is towards eternity.

I can not read the hearts of those I wish to inspire.

I can only pray
and run.

For in this race it’s not about scoring the best time,
it’s about following Christ throughout.

I once heard a radio program where the woman speaking said something like:

How fast you run towards Jesus in your daily life often can be measured by who is running beside you.

She went on to speak about how the slower runner,  only putting in a three quarter effort to run towards Jesus will cause the runner beside them to run with the same passion.

But the runner who is giving the race their all inspires those around them to do the same.

I was convicted.

Was I running with everything I had?

No.

But since then I’ve been working,  training, and looking for running partners who are giving it their all.

And I’ve noticed that as my pace picked up others have been running beside me, looking for the encouragement to run the race.

So,
I look to pass the baton by daily encouraging those around me.

I’m strapping on my heels,
giving the race my all.

Because the Apostle Paul put it perfectly.

“…Run in such a way that you may obtain [the prize].” 1 Cor. 9:24