Are You Ready To Run Your Race?

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

So This Is How It's Done?

The race was prepared to start, the final hurdles were being set in place. The girls and boys began to gather behind the start line. Waiting, I turned my attention and camera lens towards the launching pole vaulters, snapping rapidly as they soared high above me. I quickly turned back to see if the hurdlers had begun...watching as the kids scrambled, then huddled together, joining hands in a large circle at the starting line.

"Wow, what's going on? I've never seen that before a race? Can it be?" I thought to myself.

Yes it was exactly what I thought. A young high school girl stepped out in bold faith, gathering together two rival, competing schools in prayer before they raced.

What amazing courage!

She wasn't worried about perception, she didn't care where she was or how many people would actually join her or ridicule her. She felt she needed to pray and invited others to do the same. She stepped forward, stepped up and proclaimed who she relied on and what she stood for in bold, unwavering faith.

How many of us can honestly say that we would have that kind of courage?

The Lord is calling each of us to let go of our fears. Let go of the worry of perception. Step out, step up and move forward in faith, trusting Him in all things. Doing the things he's put on your heart, moment by moment, day by day. Moving past and beyond any fear that has grabbed hold of you over the years. Allowing His unending love to fill the holes of hurt, pain, disappointment and fears that have pierced your heart. He will repair and restore you, moving you forward into all that He's calling you to do. Pray for His will for your life and ask for the courage to move towards it. Putting a child like trust in your Heavenly Father, allowing Him to guide, protect and show you the way from darkness into light.

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." John 5:17

"How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" John 5:44

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40

The Race

THE RACE
by: Lisa Petrarca

The first race was about to start, Elijah was to run the 400 Meter event (1 complete sprint around the entire track). Immediately following his race he had to line up for his 200 Meter event. He would have no time to rest in between.

In prior years, he trained rigorously to prepare for all of his meets. This training is what enabled him to be so successful. Capturing the Southern CA Championship Gold medal year after year. This year has been quite different. He had become used to winning with such ease, that whenever he was asked to start training, he would reply, "Let's start next week". Week after week went by without any training. Before he knew it the season was upon him. He had run out of time.

The 400 Meter race began, he pulled out way ahead immediately. As he rounded the last turn and was running down the final stretch, his legs began to tighten, his head bobbed forward and back trying to propel himself across the finish line. The other racers started to inch closer. Willing himself across the finish line he captured first place. However not with the ease of prior years.

He headed over to line up for the 200 Meter race and collapsed on the ground trying to stretch out his cramping, ill prepared muscles. He wondered how he could run another race when he was barely able to stand. He slowly got into position knowing that this race wouldn't end as well.

The gun sounded and he was able to stay neck and neck with the top two racers until the last 100 meters. They darted ahead as his legs were moving but felt like 100 pound weights. He crossed the finish line in 3rd place. Disappointed but knowing that his lack of preparation had put him in this position.

We all need to prepare for the events in our life. Most people are aware of this no matter what sport they play...practice and preparation is ALWAYS needed. Unfortunately, like Elijah, we are ill prepared for the race that God has planned for us.

He has set up practice times (daily prayer and scripture reading), teaching us how to become closer, trust, have complete faith, inner strength and peace through him. This prepares us for the big event or GAME DAY. When he puts us on that track, field, or court of life. When we are to become the person that God has been preparing us to be. Don't waste your practice time! Will you be ready and strong enough to win the race for which God has called you?

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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24,25

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.. Hebrews 12:1