As he approached the starting line, his heart began to race, taking big deep breathes, he forced himself to stay calm and focused; refusing to allow the nerves to overtake all he'd worked for. He was ready. His coach had been preparing him for this moment for months; hours of stretching and drills to work on the mechanics of his movement. He practiced quick starts off the block, working on the drive phase to maximize his speed in the beginning of the race. He lifted weights daily and ran the same routine over and over again...while his coach continued to instruct, encourage and correct him.
In his mind he'd run this race a thousand times. As the starting official said, "On your marks," he crouched down, getting into position, eyes looking at the finish line with razor like focus. "SET!" the official shouted. He placed his hands behind the line, up on his finger tips; feet securely pressed against the starting block, hips raised slightly above his shoulders, muscles relaxed as he held his breath. The official raised the gun over his head..."B A N G!" the gun signaling the start. He shot out with one smooth movement, releasing his breath as he pushed with each muscle, each touch of his spikes plunging into the track, propelling him toward victory.
Life is often like a track meet. God has been helping us, coaching us, training and preparing us daily for the life's big race. We often struggle through the difficulty of our training. There are painful times, moments of fear, failure, rejection, loss, loneliness and darkness. But your trainer, Jesus Christ, is always with you...instructing, encouraging and correcting. Then as you continue to push through, keeping your eyes on the Lord, (your strength) you realize he's prepared you to run this race that is before you. It's not always easy, remember that you're never alone in life's race, the Lord is always with you. He will be with you until its completion. When you're tired, go to a quiet place, sit alone with the Lord, your life coach (in prayer.) Open up His perfect training manual (the Bible), as He reminds you that you are more than equipped for what's ahead of you...as He guides you toward victory!
"Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience"Colossians 1:11
"He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber" Psalm 121:3
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24
God is merciful, perfect, but also just. This message applies seemingly to those who are with him and beyond most faults. All those who remain tempted must understand that the harsh moments of the race, the failures and falls, must be contested with. God expects us, through the strength and faith he gives us, to fight these weaknesses. When we are with Christ he is always with us, but we must remember never to deny him. Denying Christ and falling into sin is like nailing him to the cross all over again. I say this not to discourage, but to prepare for trials and insist that we do not use the Lord's mercy as an excuse to fail these trials. Take heart, stand firm, and do not forget to even out every uneven surface on your heart; we must ask for His aid in this. God calls for us us to obey and ever increase in this obedience, so do so. I am happy to hear that you press the reading of his Word, which is the method by which he speaks to us in answer and order. Continue to follow this and listen to his word more than my words. Also thank God for your gift of encouragement. Glory be to the God of all creation and to his Son, who is, was, and will be.
ReplyDeleteI've read and posted on several other topics of yours and hope you respond. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to people with this wonderful writing.
ReplyDeleteYes, life is so not a sprint. Thanks for this well illustrated post.
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