Friday, February 10, 2017

Race Encouragers
By Karen D’Amore

“…I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Watching my co-worker train for her first half marathon has drawn me to reminisce about my  race days, many years ago. I recall the energy and enthusiasm of the spectator-lined streets, with race supporters clapping, cheering and chanting: “You can do it!” “You’re almost there - - KEEP GOING!” Initially, I planned on being my co-worker’s race day “spectating-cheerleader,” until she encouraged me to train and run the race with her.

To aid in my training, I purchased and activated a Fitbit. Worn on the wrist, this high-performance wireless device tracks steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, very active minutes and quality of sleep. With my pre-set fitness goals programmed into the application, my Fitbit buzzes when I’m close to reaching my goals and displays vivid fanfare when I’ve reached my goals. My Fitbit has been my perpetual cheerleader and encourager throughout my training. With every “buzz” of encouragement…I’m compelled to “KEEP GOING!”

In my early race years while living in Southern California, training/running conditions were optimal year round. Now in the Midwest, winter weather hinders my training/running capabilities. Though environmental obstacles threaten to discourage my training, my Fitbit’s goal-achieving alerts inspire and encourage me to persevere and stay on course with my training, even amidst ice and snow. Being impacted by the encouraging power of this little bracelet-like device, I pondered the possibility of such a device for spiritual training.

Scripture likens our faith-walk to “running a race.” That racecourse is inundated with obstacles and hindrances which impact our endurance and perseverance. While we wrestle with the internal hindrances of sin, we also encounter external hurdles like sickness, death, betrayal, injustices and hardships. And while, as believers, we’re responsible for running our own personal race, we’re not called to run alone.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25a, NIV).

To be successful in our race as believers, we need to be one another’s “cheerleaders.” We need to applaud each other when we’re doing well, and pray for one another when we stumble and fall. And when obstacles become sources of discouragement, tempting our teammates to quit the race, we need to be their “race encouragers!” We need to function like Fitbits - - “buzzing” with encouragement, urging our fellow believers to “KEEP GOING” and finish the race!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you function like a “Fitbit” and become a race encourager?

FURTHER READING:


Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.