Running to Win

The day of the big race is here. I've trained for months preparing for this day, and it's finally here. My heart beats fast as the adrenaline pumps through my body. Will I make it? I don't know. The only thing I know is that I want that crown; I want that gold; I want to win. All I can think about is the sacrifices I've made; waking up early just to get a run in before work, late nights at the gym, pushing forward when I couldn't push anymore. Man, I want this so bad. Fear begins to set in. What if I trip? So what, I'll get up and finish anyway. Will anyone laugh at me? My hands begin to sweat. Shake it off. Focus. Focus on that prize! The gold! My dream! I can almost taste it, it's so close! It's time. They call the runners to their starting places. Deep breaths in and out. I've got this. I've ran this run a million times. I have my time down to a science. As long as all goes well, I have nothing to worry about. The gun goes off, I flinch, then start. Faster and faster I move as I try to catch up with the others. Nothing can get in my way now. I take fourth place, than third. Second is coming close, but the runner catches his momentum, sustaining me in third. Push! Go! My legs begin to feel the sting. I'm gaining on him now. He tries his best, but I eventually take his place. Now, to take the prize. I didn't make all those sacrifices for nothing! I want that gold! Thump, thump, thump. Is that my feet or my heart? I push harder, taking short breaths, trying to feed off the stamina. I'm getting closer and closer. Finally, I pass the first runner by. I did it, I'm in first place. I can see the finish line, I can taste the Victory. Only a few yards to go, I can feel myself wanting to give in to the pressure. My body screams to be released from the strain, but I don't listen. I never listen. I know my goal and I will settle for no less. Harder I go and then I feel the finish line break against my chest. Oh the joy! Oh the pain of the sacrifice! Oh the sweetness of victory! I hold the evidence of my hard work in my hands. It's cold against my drenched skin. I hold it high, for all to see, I've won this race, I've won for me!

"You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something-not just the air. I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified after I have preached to others." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Silent Treatment

The Holy Spirit often uses simple, daily incidents to teach me deep, profound truths.

The other day, me and my son were driving somewhere and he asked if we could go to McDonald's. I complied to his request and was on my way. But, the whole way there, my son kept saying over and over again, "Are we going to McDonald's? I thought you said we could go?" I confirmed, that yes, we are going, and we will be there in a minute. However, this did not soothe his worries. He still kept asking. As I was growing weary of repeating myself, I decided to remain silent, and figured soon enough he would know when we arrived.

It made me think of my Lord. How many times have I, after being given a promise, continued to ask and ask, "Lord, are we going? I thought you said...," only to be given the silent treatment. Maybe, sometimes, when we don't hear an answer to our questions, it's because God knows where He's taking us, and soon enough, we will too. If God's in the driver's seat, we can be assured that He's taking us to our promised destination; and if He's silent along the way, it's not a sign that He's forgotten, only a quiet confidence in His ability to guide us down the right path.