Running in Saturday’s 5K race was not about winning but about crossing the finish line. For years I have dreamed of accomplishing this feat with my feet! But winning had a deeper meaning….
I had two goals, one to finish and the other was to not walk on any part of the course. It wasn’t about time, or winning awards for me. It was about finishing strong.
The Lord and I have been on this journey towards this place in my life for several years. At times it has been grueling. I have been defeated in my attempts. I have been hindered by my health over and over again. Discouragement has left me limping along.
But on this day all of that changed. The enemy sought to dissuade me….. my son came in from out of town, a sure distraction for I wanted to be at home. It was pouring rain! My running partner and friend fell into the duck pond at the park ten minutes before the race began.
Looking around, I felt out of my league at all the trim fit people in their matching running clothes and expensive running shoes. I was reminded of my two goals when the sound horn blew starting the race into action.
All the people quickly sped away, leaving me in a puddle of despair threatening to drown me. But I prayed in the face of my fears. My friend though soaked from the pond, along with my regular exercise partner, and I began running at a slow but steady clip.
This was a spiritual journey I was on. Though I had kept my goals to myself, the Lord knew them. Oh it got so hard to keep pressing on. But God through my friend kept pressing me on. When I got out of breath, she praised God on my behalf. When I felt like I could go no more….God carried me.
Somehow in the midst of the course, it just happened! God made it happen. I floated on the clouds Jesus sent my way. I would not leave my regular running partner behind…..It was a joy to go back and run along side of her, taking my friend along with me.
Call me crazy….but it wasn’t about the time, but the win….the win in God’s race. The race He has for us is all about others and not self. God honored my heart and efforts to stay with my partner and not leave her behind.
I won both of my goals…..to finish and I ran the whole way without stopping. Now that is a high that only God gives! Grabbing the ladies in each hand we stepped across the finish line together!
Completely undone by my Jesus I walked on with my friend, praising God out loud as I cried. He had empowered every step. My joy could not be contained!
So it is, with the spiritual race….God will empower you to run without stopping until you cross the finish line!
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.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
