I have never been a runner, not do I plan to become one. Walking is more my speed. So I was surprised this summer when my seventeen year old son decided to go out for cross country this Fall. He has been running anywhere from five to ten miles at practice each day.
Last week was a busy week for him. He had a meet on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Tuesday meet went fairly well with him finishing in the top ten. Thursday meet didn't go as well. It was a rough course and he stumbled when he stepped in a hole and lost a lot of time. By Saturday he was still feeling sore and this would be an invitational meet with a lot of high schools participating. Because he had not done as well on the Thursday meet he was moved to the Junior Varsity race.
We were surprised when he got off the bus and walked towards us with a medal around his neck. He had received fifth place in his race which had many kids participating. His time qualified him as the second fastest runner on our team. If he had participated in the Varsity race he would not have placed any higher than at least the 40's.
While he was running the race he told me that he felt like quitting because he was hurting from Thursday, but the more he ran, he was surprised to see that he was passing more and more runners. By the end he was glad that he hadn't given up, but kept pursuing his goal.
"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." 1 Corinthians 9:24
"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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
What race are you running right now? Make sure you run with perseverance, even when the future may seem unsure.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Amen, Amen, Great post, and Congrats to your son, I know you must be truly proud of him. I know he has had his spirits built back up and will continue to do great.
He will never leave us nor forsake us. I am sure he was running right next to him.
Thanks for sharing, it is a exciting time for you and your son.
God Bless
Sharon
Ooooh, what a sweet devotion. Thank you. I am encouraged by the great example you wrote. What perfect scriptures in parallel with your son's race. God bless you.
Great analogy here! I'm glad your son didn't give up and quit before he finished the race.....and won a medal !! He's a great encouragement to us older folks!
Marilyn
How wonderful that your son had the dedication to finish his race and what a great reminder to us all!
Celeste
Very inspiring and timely, too. I just wrote a post on running. :-) Thanks for the encouragement. I just stopped by from Lysa T's blog to say "hi." So glad I did. Sweet blessings, Amy
Post a Comment