Running the Race

I have been trying to get this post written for several days. But for some reason, life just keeps getting in the way.

To start off we started school for the kids. I made the decision to start early because I knew that when my classes started I would not have the time I needed to get us really going.  Getting into a new routine is just plain hard, especially after spending way too many weeks being “wild and free”.

Secondly, the Olympics started. This post is actually inspired by the athletes in the Olympics but I will get to all that in a bit, however, the biggest reason why I haven’t sat down to write is that I have been streaming one sport or another almost continuously on my laptop. (I watched rugby 7s for the first time EVER! It was intense!) That makes writing a little bit difficult.

And then, to top it all off I have been sitting in a hospital room since Sunday evening with a husband who has pneumonia. After the 4th day of running a fever over 100 degrees we finally made the decision to bring him into the ER only to find out that I probably should have brought him in a lot sooner. The good news is he is now on the mend and hopefully we will be heading home in the next tomorrow.

So here we are. Things are finally slowing down a bit and I can finally get to writing what has been on my heart and my mind the last day or two.

As I mentioned above the Olympics are in full steam at the moment. (As if it would be hard to not notice that on TV or any social media outlet) I LOVE the Olympics. Every 2 years (yes I’m an equal-opportunity Olympian fan) I get excited about watching the best of the best come together to compete in sporting events I both love dearly and that I have never even considered looking into. I love watching the way that the countries come together to cheer for on another and support each other through various feats of strength, character, and determination.

Its like all the animosity that is held between our different nations is placed up high on a shelf and ignored for 2 weeks. It reminds me that no matter what our differences we are all created by and loved by God.

I watch these athletes and I see them push through pain, frustration, and expectations and I think about Paul reminding us to continue to run our race.

24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

These AMAZING athletes are running their respective races to receive a pretty nice prize. National pride,  a shiny medal, and all the glory that comes with it. To say that I haven’t thought about what it would be like to be on that international stage would be a lie. I think at somepoint everyone dreams of winning the gold for their country.

But then I am reminded I am running a race so much more important. I am running a race for eternal glory. The prize I am pushing for is so much more precious than gold, silver, or bronze. I am running for my place in the kingdom of heaven. I am training my mind, body, and soul for the work that God has called me to do.

My race currently is being run in my home; teaching, training, and raising up the next generation of racers. My end goal is to pass the baton on to my children so that they too may run the race. I am not doing it so that others can say to “She is such a great mom.” or “I wish I could do (insert ANYTHING HERE) like she does.” My goal is to lead my children to the love of the Lord so that I will be blessed to spend eternity with them. That is the race I run.

The Olympics remind me that it takes constant training to stay at peak competition level. For me, that is the same. I am to train through the reading of the ‘training manual’ God’s Word, through the practice of maintaining my relationship with both God and His people, and focusing on the best for my race not worrying about how another might be running theirs.

Every 2 years in the summer and the winter the best of the best come together and put on a display to entertain and to win. Everyday, I strive to put forward the best of my best so that I might please the one Judge handing out the ultimate prize at the best finish line there is.

Do you watch the Olympics? What are your favorite sports to watch? Are you running your good race?