Run Your Own Race – Part 1

Hebrews 12:1 – ‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.’

John and I really enjoy participating in 5k races. He’s a runner, but I’m definitely not.. at all. In fact, I often joke that if you see me running, you’d better start running too.. because something is chasing me! The point being that I go at my own pace, which happens to be different from John’s. We actually have two completely different race experiences. But, we both have the same goal, to cross the finish line and get that medal. And let me tell you, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from that is quite exhilarating.

In competing in these 5ks, I’ve learned there a few qualities you need to develop to be successful. For example, you need focus. Focus keeps your goal in mind so that you can stay motivated and encouraged to finish. Endurance.. it’s important to train your body so you can develop your pace and keep it up for the entire race. You don’t want to get overtired, wear out your body so you’re having to quit early or to risk injury.

Perseverance is another important quality. Developing perseverance so you can keep going in spite of difficulties. John and I have witnessed many amazingly determined people that persevered through the race even with physical injuries. We saw one woman that could barely walk, but competed with her walker. She came in last, but she finished. It was so inspiring! Often times, in Texas you need perseverance just to continue walking in the Texas heat! Lastly, you need discipline. The discipline to say no to those things that are harmful to your body and keep you from your goal. Even the discipline to keep up the training on those days that you just don’t want to so you can be ready when the next 5k comes up.

I was thinking how this is very similar to our walk with God. We each have very different paths, but as Christians, we all have the same goal. The goal of building a personal relationship with Christ, to spreading His word to as many as we can and to spending eternity with Him.. the ultimate reward. I’m going to dive deeper into this topic on more than one post, so I hope you stay with me.

Let’s focus on focus ( See what I did there??). Focus is so important because without it, we lose sight of our goal and can easily wander off the path if we’re not paying attention. We can even lose sight of why we’re in the race at all and what we’re actually wanting to gain out of the experience. Focus, speaking for myself.. and I know John would agree.. can be a challenge. Sometimes, we get a little ADHD and before you know it, we’re off chasing a squirrel instead of working towards our goal.

In a 5k, your focus is the finish line. In our walk with God, HE should be our focus. It’s so important to stay centered on Him so He can keep us on the right path and we don’t get distracted with the sin of this world. And there’s so much of that these days. It’s incredibly easy to wander off of the path. The devil is all too eager and willing to distract us in hopes that we do lose our focus on Him. Losing focus on our walk with Christ can be devastating to our goal of crossing that finish line and hearing ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’

If we lose God as our focal point, not only is that bad news for us personally, but that could mean someone else doesn’t hear the good news of salvation. And after all, that’s the main job He’s tasked us with while we’re here. I know I personally spent over 35 years distracted and focused on myself and what the world could give me instead of what God had for me. Thankfully, He is loving and so forgiving that He led me back to the path I was meant to be walking. Once you’re able to get back in that race after thinking you had already lost, it’s an indescribable feeling.

Colossians 3:2 – ‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’

It’s not easy. Staying focused never is. Especially if you’re the one that’s easily distracted. But God has given us tools to help.. a local bible believing church, fellow Christians and a wonderful ‘guidebook’ to give us direction. It’s like having your own personal cheering section when you’re crossing that finish line. My hope is that at the end of our lives, we can all have the same outcome as Paul…

2 Timothy 4:7 – ‘ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.’