The Great Race

It’s interesting to think of life as a series of races and finish lines, all of which create one great race. There are races of all kinds- different distances, difficulties and lengths. Each race has its degree of endurance needed, appropriate tempo and strategy for a successful outcome. There are an accumulation of finish lines that constitute the great race, yet each one must be crossed in order to stay the course. We may believe to know the course and how each race might finish, but really, we don’t. We can prepare and train for each leg of the race, but where each bend in the road takes place, how difficult the obstacles might be, what outside variables may come our way, are really met with uncertainty.

To continue this thought of life as a race…I don’t remember signing up for the initial event nor do I know which event will be my last, but there is a beginning and an end. There is always a buzz of excitement with the start of any race. Anticipations are high. Adrenaline is pumping and hopes of glory are big. As I look back on my life and ponder those starting gates, I remember feeling that buzz of excitement. It’s a good feeling. Any race of significant distance has had hours of training behind it. I don’t think too many of us would show up for a race without it; chances are it would not go  well.

There are times in a race where one can lose hope of finishing. Many factors can impact the performance, some that are completely out of our control. Our faith in finishing, is challenged. Discouragement and negative talk can set in and you wonder if all the training and preparation was even worth it. Was this all for nothing? Someone sees your struggle, for your posture and body language tell of the possible defeat. They come alongside you and say, “keep pace with me.” A simple phrase, a turning point, exactly what you need to hear to keep going. A little encouragement, a few tips or words of wisdom shared by the encourager, and all of a sudden the impending failure lifts for a moment and hope returns. The finish line is still a possibility. Hope is always the driving factor. Hope, like training, is what carries us forward.

Some finish lines will be met with strength and celebration; some will be less spectacular and unremarkable; and some finish lines will be grueling and will take everything you’ve got to cross the line. They are all victories. I’m beginning to see that the grueling finishes are truly the most victorious. They reveal our character, our resolve, and our heart.

It is easy to lose heart in our world. There is so much that deflates us; the list of challenges we all face are lengthy. But, the Great Race is not a sprint, rather it is a long distance race. It is the journey of our heart to find God in all the legs of the race, be it the long solitary stretches, the hard climbs, the failures, or the joys and the wins. He is with us even though at times it may not feel like He is. We may just need to step of the course for a moment and rest with Him a while. Regrouping is a good thing.

If you are celebrating a strong finish, celebrate big with God. I promise, He is your biggest fan. If you are trudging through a finish which is less than spectacular, celebrate bigger! God is still there cheering. And if your sights are on a finish line that seems out of reach or feels like an impending failure, “just breathe and move” (as my trainer at the gym says), and you will cross that finish line. Even when you think you can’t…you can. And when you do cross that finish line, celebrate in a way that celebrates the good fight, that celebrates the finish and that celebrates the faith kept because your biggest fan will be celebrating you – “well done good and faithful servant.”