Run
Your Own Race
By Karen D’Amore
Therefore, since we
are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything
that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let
us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…
Hebrews
12:1 (NIV)
I
was a distance runner for many years, until knee surgeries forced my withdrawal
from the race circuit. Discouragement cocooned me into a state of idleness,
where I often reminisced about my marathon days. Recently, I dusted off my
running shoes and resumed training for a different race. Starting out slow, I
was initially discouraged and embarrassed by my 20 mpm pace. But with
discipline and perseverance, I worked my way up to six consecutive miles at a
12 mpm pace.
I’d
been training for this race for several months. Though only a 5k, it was substantial
strides from the couch I’d been warming for many years. I was surrounded by
hundreds of fitly-toned, seasoned runners and my stomach churned with nervous
anticipation as I watched them stretch and warm up for the race. My husband
accompanied me, running for the fun of it, but the race didn’t hold the same
personal significance for him as it did for me. With diversity in our strides
and paces, I worried I’d be thrown off and distracted by our differences. So,
as we approached the start line, I told him to “run his own race” and we’d meet
at the finish line.
During
the race, many runners passed me up, while others lagged behind and some dropped
out. In spite of how others were running their race, including my husband who remained
by my side, I managed to stay focused on running my own race. As my husband and
I crossed the finish line together, I was encouraged by the cheering of the
runners who’d finished before me. And though all the runners had each run with
varying strides and paces, we all
shared an important thing in common. We each ran our own race…before crossing
the finish line!
We’re
called to “run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Let’s resist the temptation to compare ourselves with other believers and
become distracted by how they run their race.
As
we fix our eyes on our Heavenly Pace-setter, He’ll faithfully equip us to run
the race He calls us to run and lead us victoriously across the finish line. Let
us eagerly anticipate the crossing of that eternal finish line, where we’ll be
greeted by the cheering of all who finished the race before us.
Are you ready?????
…………on
your mark…get set…GO! Run your own
race!!!!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Identify anything hindering you from running your own race?
2.
Are you caught up in the comparison trap? Pray for freedom!
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
