What's Your Race to Run?

I grew up the child of two outstanding athletes. I am sure they both hoped I would follow in their footsteps. However, that was not to be, as my attempts at an athletic inclination were short-lived. At age 7, after being hit head-on in the face with a softball on my little league team, I turned in my mitt feeling as if I had disappointed my parents but knowing that my desire and interest did not include a softball, bat, or anything associated with it. 

At age 13, I tried again. I was so proud to be a part of the track team. Finally, I might have found my niche, but into the season, I learned that being the third leg in the relay was a strategic placement. Its purpose was definitely to preempt the inevitable - a loss. The fact had to be faced; I was just too slow. I finished the season, but pursuing this activity again did not appeal to me. It was not a passion but rather an attempt to find a place where I could be good at something and contribute. Track wasn't it either.

Truthfully, I was satisfied with my nightly routine of 100 sit-ups and occasional walks around the school track at times when it wasn't very "peoply"! I was searching for where I could contribute and be noticed for something that would identify me as something... anything. I did not give up; I tried other sports, but the near-death experience with the uneven parallel bars was the handwriting on the wall. I had to face it whether it disappointed my parents or not. I was not athletically inclined, but even so, I didn't have the desire to work hard enough to overcome it. My interests had to be elsewhere.

Thus, my quest began. What was I good at? What could I do for the good of my fragile self-esteem at this point and also for the good of others? In short, if it wasn't athletics, what was my race? As I began searching for my place in this messy, mixed-up teenage existence, I had to accept what I had known for a long time. I knew where I fit in. For some, this would have been a horrific discovery, but it was pure solace for me. Those countless trips to the library on Saturdays to check out the limit of books allowed, barricading myself in my room and reading until forced to do otherwise, and those giddy feelings each year when the teacher announced it was time for the term research paper, I had to contain myself. While everyone was moaning and groaning about the research paper and whining about how many steps it took to complete it, secretly, I was doing a pretty spectacular happy dance. I often had my note cards started before the next day.  However, I knew I could not let anyone know it, so I kept silent for fear of bodily harm from my classmates if they knew I supported the most dreaded assignment of the year.

How could writing hold a candle to being a top shooter in basketball, a first-place track winner, or, though I hated recalling it, a top-scoring gymnast? Maybe publicly, it couldn't. Yet, all the while, I knew this was my race. The writing of the long, dreaded papers by so many was nothing short of a utopia for me. It was the place I fit best. So, with great care, I guarded my secret treasure of written thoughts and began an adventure that has lasted a lifetime.

Finally, I found my race to run. The Lord has allowed me to publish two books for women that encourage them how to be successful in their race in life:

1. Committing to a personal relationship with Jesus as the Savior of their lives.
2. Knowing how to follow and share Him in everyday living.
3. Understanding that life isn't perfect, Jesus will guide them through times of failure and success if they submit to His leadership.  

In closing, in Hebrews, Chapter 12, the apostle Paul refers to the "greats" in scripture from Chapter 11. He recounts men and women who decided to run the race God set for them. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Rahab, and David were among the many who answered the call to run the race God designed for them. Some of these people witnessed the outcome of their faithfulness. Others didn't, but their faithfulness paved the way for someone else to pick it up and bring the plan of God to fulfillment. Regardless, they shared one thing: they believed in the importance of and accepted their race. They persevered because God had planned a burning within their souls to follow after His will and purpose for them.

So, I ask again: What's your race? Your warm-up begins with the assurance that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, when committed to Him, what can God use within your life to point people to Jesus Christ? Finally, embrace the opportunity to use your pathway and your God-given talents to tell others about His story of love for all humanity, the offer of salvation, and the promise of life with Him for all eternity.

Our two-a-day trainings, morning and afternoon practices, piano lessons, writing sessions, or whatever that looks like for each one of us should mirror this:  

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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith."

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

What's your race to run?