Parts of a Race

 

This past weekend I did a triathlon with my sister, along with my dad, brother, some friends, and many other competitors. The race was along a beautiful course that involved climbing up the National Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes during the running portion, riding your bike around two gorgeous crystal blue lakes, and kayaking (yes, thankfully instead of swimming). As we were participating in the longest portion of the race, the bike ride, a bible verse came to my mind that I had taught my Sunday School girls a short time ago. In the first part of Hebrews 12 it says, “...And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

 

Preparation

To perform at your optimum, you must train and prepare for the course you are racing. Whatever the sport, practice is the key to ready yourself to execute the race. Reading and studying the Bible allows the Holy Spirit to bring to mind what God says about things when you face situations of daily living, just like staying “fit” for a race.You’ll remember what God said and be able to make the right decisions and have the right frame of mind. Prayer, which is talking with God, also prepares you in a supernatural way when you encounter the unexpected. Psalm 25:4-5 says, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Potholes

Just like in a race where you might get a flat tire, flip your kayak, or like my sister, have your bike chain fall off, life is full of obstacles and trials. When these trials come God, has commanded us as in Joshua 1:9, “...Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” We won’t always know in this life why God allows us to face certain potholes to land in our path. We know that God sees the bigger picture, and those ugly situations can make us stronger, and we never know just how He might be using those things for His glory.

Partner

In this life we need others to encourage and help us with the challenges of life. This might be someone on the side of the road who says, “Great job. You can do it. Keep going.” as they ring a bell and clap for you. This might be the person out in the water with the boat that helps you flip and get back into your kayak. Or this might be the one who is by your side running the race with you. God has given us people to come along side of us and run this race with us for many purposes. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”.

Perseverance

Sometimes the race is long and we can get exhausted, but God calls us to remain constant to our purpose and rely on His strength. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. When you feel like you can’t keep going, hold fast to His power and remember He goes before you. Colossians 1:11,17 “...being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience...He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Prize
Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.” At the end of this race, this life, where will you stand? James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Eternal life in Heaven with our Creator is the most epic prize there will ever be. Are you running your race in such a way as to receive “the prize”?