Race
Encouragers
By Karen D’Amore
“…I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be
encouraged by yours.”
Romans 1:12 (NIV)
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.
