The Big Race

Just a few months ago, Steve and I traveled to Austin to cheer our daughter, Catherine, and our daughter-in-law, Jennifer in a 5K race and our granddaughters, A and A, in a 1K race. We found our way to the bleachers and picked our strategic spots so that we could hold up our handmade signs of encouragement for Catherine and Jennifer as they raced past the bleachers. Although the sun was shining it was one of the coldest days we had experienced this year. Bundled up and snuggly, we quickly got into the mood of the race as the warm-up music began and the runners on the track moved and stretched with the gyrations of the music.
Minutes before the race, we went down by the track to give hugs and words of encouragement to Catherine & Jennifer. This is when we met Craig and Jennifer’s neighbor, Robert. Robert was an experienced marathon runner. He was equipped with all the necessary equipment helpful to run the race well. He had the right clothes for wind resistance. He even had a GPS system to direct his way on the course. This man was a professional runner.
Jennifer’s expertise was not far behind Robert. Jennifer had run in many races and, like Robert, her clothes were wind resistant and Jennifer also had a GPS to help keep her directed on the course.
However, this was Catherine’s first race. While she had trained long and hard, she did not have a GPS. She was dressed appropriately and was ready to run but new to the course and new to the racing methods.
The race began and we waited. The first few runners came across the finish line, Robert being one of them. Then, Jennifer came across. A few more runners crossed the line. Robert came over and said that he was worried about Catherine because she did not have a GPS. Unknown to us and to the runners, some of the signs directing the runners to the correct course had been blown down by the strong winds. Robert feared that Catherine might be off the course and lost. He grabbed a bottle of water for Catherine and took off to find her. Then, we saw her, and Robert, and our son Craig (who was not part of the race), following Catherine as she rounded the last curve and approached the finish line.
As a parent, I could not have been more proud of my children (Craig, Catherine and Jennifer) and of Robert! Note in the picture (to the right of this article) that Craig and Robert are running behind Catherine.
This race was a real life example of the race Christ calls all of us to run in this life. We all need to do the necessary training for the race (getting spiritually fit). We all need to train with others (go to church to worship, attend Sunday School and a Bible study, be a part of a small group from church). We all need to be equipped. Like Robert and Jennifer used their GPS to keep them on the course, we need read our Bible and stay in tune with God through prayers and guidance from the Holy Spirit. I might add that all three racers had music playing to keep them focused on the race. What kind of music and/or entertainment are you filling your mind with as you run the race in life?
At the end of this life, our race will be done. We will cross the finish line into the waiting arms of Jesus. Both the training and the race are on this side of Heaven. How are you doing in the race? Are you encouraging those in the race with you? Is there someone you know who is new to the course of life (faith walk, i.e., Little Feet) that you need to show the way? Are you using your GPS (Scripture and the Holy Spirit) to help guide you and those who are new to the race as you run? As you enter the season of Lent, pray about ways to help you get spiritually fit so that you will cross the finish line of life well.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” Hebrews 12:2-3, 12-13 (The Message)