I love the energy of a 5k race. Everyone is there for the same purpose. They’re encouraging and supportive of everyone from all walks of life. From the extremely fit, veteran runner to the beginner like me who’s just hoping and praying to finish. The anticipation and excitement from everyone as we line up to wait for the starting bell, not to mention the people lined up on the sidelines as you cross that finish line, cheering you on as you cross… there really is nothing like it.
You know what it reminds of?? My walk with Christ and finding that home church. The minute you walk in the door you know everyone is there for the same purpose. People from all walks of life, trying their best to run their race as best they can in order to cross that ultimate finish line and hear ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’ And the supportive cheering section? Well, you won’t find a better one. I remember after John and I had made the decision to join our current church and get baptized, our pastor reached out to one of the long time members and asked her if she’d be willing to be there that coming Sunday to support us. She didn’t hesitate. Her and her husband were fighting their own battle, but she was there with bells on to support us and welcome us in to our new church family. I’ll never forget how much that meant to both of us.
Another comparison keeps coming up.. the use of mile markers. Once that starting bell goes off and you start running, or walking in my case, you can’t always just follow the crowd. Sure, you can at first. But, let me tell you, if you’re one of those that ends up near the back of the crowd it thins out back there and you can’t just ‘follow the crowd’. There isn’t one to follow. Trust me… I know. And trying to follow everyone else on your walk with Christ in these tumultuous times?? That can lead you way, way of course. In fact, one of the surest ways to know you’re going in the right direction on God’s path is the very fact that you’re not following the crowd.
Matthew 7:14 – ‘Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and there are few who find it.’
So, you need some way of knowing you’re on the right path. Enter… mile markers. these are posted at every mile in a 5k to let you know not only how far you’ve come, but how far you have to go. They also give you an indication you’re on the right path. In many of these races, it’s really easy to take a wrong turn and stray off course.
As humans, we always wonder why we have to go through and suffer the things that we do. Why doesn’t God take this away from me? Why do I have to go through this? But don’t our trials and sufferings remind us to keep focused on Him? They’re our mile markers. He uses these things to not only keep us from straying off course, but to teach us how to get stronger and grow in the process. Think about it. If we lived a perfect, trouble free life would we remember to praise God for all of our blessings and keep focused on Him? I’d like to say yes, of course. But I think we all know that’s not the case. We would stray so far off course we’d need a flare gun to help us get back. How do I know? Because I’ve done it… and been off track for years. How did I get back on the right path with Christ? He provided me with one big, flashing, neon sign of a mile marker when I lost my job in Washington. I needed Him. I needed His guidance and direction to correct my course and get me back in the race. I wouldn’t be, literally, where I am today without that course correction.
He also uses those trials as an opportunity to help us grow in our relationship with Him. We should be moving forward, not standing still. The point of this whole race is to cross the finish line, not give up 100 feet into it complaining about how hard it is and wondering why we’re not being carried to the finish line. Our troubles and trials in life test our faithfulness to God.
Often times, even when we think we’re going in the right direction, we’re not. He then gently reminds us that we need to stay focused. I’m thinking particularly about not getting the promotion I applied for at work. I was certain I was doing what God wanted me to do. But, in not getting that job, I was forced to remember He was in control. He used that trial to course correct me.. to help me remember to praise Him even when I didn’t get what I thought I wanted. He used it to teach me how to be more grateful for what I did have, and I was able to refocus and get back on the right path. It was also a mile maker to let me know how far I’ve come. In the past, I would’ve been so mad and disappointed about not getting the job, thanking God for what I do have and seeing the bigger picture of it all would have been the farthest thing from my mind.
Do I want those struggles and trials? Most definitely no. Do I need them? Most definitely yes…and as such, I’m grateful for them. So, when you hit that mile marker on your walk with Christ, try to pause and take breath. Remember to be thankful and to stay focused on Him. He’ll walk with you all the way to that finish line… and just think of the cheering section that’ll be there!
James 1:2-3 – ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.’