My three-year-old granddaughter woke up a few mornings ago announcing it was race day. It was! Her dad, my son, found a race locally while we were visiting. This was her first real ‘race’, really more like a 50 yard dash. I have a grandson who ‘ran’ his first race before he was three. Both of their dads run, so this is a natural progression in their children’s lives. Race day was also my daughter’s birthday and the anniversary of her delivery of a special little boy into heaven. My emotions are pieced together like a quilt. Sorrow, anticipation, gratitude, and excitement meld to form a picture of life’s course.
I do not run – except perhaps after a grandchild! But we are all in a race which we will finish. The question is how we will finish. I like to picture a ball that is growing in momentum and expanding as it travels. Rather than slowing down and getting pushed off course by debris, we can navigate through the rough patches of life gaining more confidence and trust in our Savior’s lead. Sometimes the push to keep going is extremely difficult, yet we are to run with endurance, desiring to do our best. Even when it is hard we are to remain joyful for our future. Staying on course can be a challenge. Distractions are abundant and often there are unexpected turns in our path. When there is reason for celebration, our focus needs to remain heavenward. When sorrow threatens to overwhelm us, we need to continue to walk forward with our Savior. The key is to carry on with endurance the path set before us, keeping our sight on the prize – eternity with Jesus.
1Co 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
Php 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Heb 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The day before my granddaughter’s first race and my daughter’s birthday a memorial service was held for my friend’s husband who unexpectedly died after several complications during a scheduled procedure. He has finished his race and now finds rest in the arms of his Savior. Sorrow may slow us down but the course continues. Anticipation for the future that God has planned keeps us going. Gratitude for family and friends and the myriad of blessings that are poured upon us, remind us of a greater purpose. As we recognize God’s hand in our lives, we should be encouraged and become even more excited for the future.
Every day is race day. Like my granddaughter, wake up excited for the possibilities! Run with endurance. Celebrate the success when you run well. Appreciate the times that seem easy. Learn to trust more when the effort required seems impossible. Keep racing, Jesus is waiting at the finish line.
