The Race

I remember it so clearly. Two legs further ahead of me, pounding the pavement in an even tempo. The difference in this runner and his legs versus the other 4,000 plus runners?!? Tattooed on the left leg was the word GOD'S and on the right leg was WILL. Seen together, God's will was running ahead of me and leaving me in the dust. While running behind him, I couldn't help but reflect on my life....my entire life. For some reason, I have always felt that I am always chasing after but never quite living fully in step or coordinated with God's will. I've always been the one in charge of my life, never completely surrendering to his will or his calling. Continued reflection through the run made me wonder, "What would it be like to really be in step with God's will?" (See You Tube video of Mercy Me performing "I Can Only Imagine")

What would it be like to live a life following exactly in his footsteps, synchronizing the rise and fall of each footstep and breath that we take in. Letting God take control and set the pace of this race. I'm a broken life with more then one scratched palm, banged up knee, twisted ankle (you name it, I am injury prone). Life hasn't been easy doing things my way and what if following God's promptings made it worse? What if being in sync with God cost me dearly? Could I do it? Would I be able to claw myself back up and haul myself out for yet another run with God's will? Why complete the course, why run and torture myself day in and day out?!?
Because...this is training. Training is and can be brutal. Full of blood (think injury prone again), sweat and tears...aches and pains of pulled muscles and sheer exhaustion from adhering to the strict training schedule. Why do runners do this? Marathoners, triathletes, and Olympic competitors...why?!?

Because...one vision is ultimately clear: To finish the race.

To finish the race and complete the fight. This is how we set our PR's in running and this is how we do the same with God's will. By following the prescribed training plan (his Bible) and staying in tune with him (through prayer)....the miles will disappear from out feet and we will begin to accomplish what we came for.... The joy in finishing and giving it our best effort and to be able to see that finish line and push ourselves beyond what we thought was possible until we can cross that line, where standing there with eyes shining and nail pierced arms extended, we can finally collapse into the arms of our saviour and hear those most precious words ever..... "Well done my good and faithful servant, well done."