Own your race

About a year ago, I went to my usual parkrun one Saturday morning as part of my plan to maintain my fitness. During the morning brief at the parkrun, it was announced that part of the route had to be changed due to the park being used for another event. You can imagine what went through my mind when I heard that; I became nervous! The new running route was a bit more uphill than the original route and looking at it from a distance, it seemed very challenging. Also as I was not familiar with the new route I had to follow other people around so I don’t get lost which meant that I had to run at their pace. I was good up to a point during the first lap of the run when I begun to feel tiredness kick in. At that moment, I felt the Lord begun to speak to me about “running the race”. It was a powerful moment for me and I was encouraged to finish the race and not quit, though it was challenging.

The Lord began to speak to me about the scripture where Paul said;

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

In this life, we are racing for an imperishable crown (Glory) and to win the race, we need to run with a certainty (Faith) mindset and discipline (Strict training).

I believe these three things will help you in winning whatever your race might be (job, business, a situation, a ministry, marriage, purpose, etc).

1. Discipline of prayer and spending time with the Lord to hear from Him
2. The Word
3. Faith in God (Focus)

Every athlete disciplines themselves by training and denying themselves of so many things to focus on winning their race. They actually see themselves holding the trophy and that motivates them to keep going. Daily reading of the Bible (word) will provide the nourishment your soul needs to flourish. Finally Faith is the basic requirement of God to move in our lives.

To my utmost surprise, I managed to finish the run in a better time than I had previously ran. When I came back home, the Lord was still whispering to me about “running the race” but I was too busy to focus and pay attention to what the Lord was unfolding to me. However God is so patient, He kept prompting me about the word. I finally made time and I was led to read Hebrews 12.

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

In hindsight, I realise that during that race, some of the stages were more difficult than others; especially when I was running uphill but my Father kept reminding me of running my race. I remember a couple of people from my church who overtook me but kept encouraging me to keep going because they had already ran the new route and knew I could do it. I had to let go of any negative thoughts, tiredness and believe that I could finish the run.

This event reminded me of what Paul talked about in Hebrews 12. There are a host of people who have gone before us such as Abraham, Sarah, Noah and many more that Paul mentioned in Hebrews 11:7-40 cheering us on and saying to us, “I know you can do this!”. From their stories, we know they were as human as we are and full of mistakes yet they loved God and the Holy Spirit gave them the ability to do great and wonderful things.

Life is like a maze full of unexpected twist and turns, just like the different parts of the parkrun route but we have to focus on the path God has set for us. As He is the only one who knows the future, only He can order our steps into our destiny (finish line).

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalms 37:23 (NLT)

In a race you can’t run someone else’s race for them even if you wanted to so badly and the same applies to LIFE. You can’t get distracted by what other people are doing or what their success looks like, like I did in my race and followed people around. Instead focus on your own race God has set for you and allow Him who knows your beginning to the end lead you so that at the end you will receive the promise.

Paul wrote this to Timothy at the end of his ministry encouraging him to run his race as he (Paul) had ran his race and a crown of righteousness awaits him.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 (NIV)

It is encouraging to know that you can finish every race in your life strong, knowing that Abba Father has a crown prepared for you.

May you be filled with the Fullness of God and the Power of His Love!