Pace Yourself with the Lord

I don’t know about you, but my junior high years were the most dreaded of my whole life. I couldn’t find my niche. In an effort to try something new, I took up track. The coaches told me I would be running the mile. That was it. I had no direction or instruction on what to do. How hard could it be after all? It was just four measly laps around the track. I had run around the track at least a couple of times. No sweat!

The day of the track meet had come. It was a cool fall morning. I remember seeing the smoke from my breath. I took off my sweats and readied myself at the starting line. I glanced over at my parents who were there to cheer me on. Victory would soon be mine! The gun went off and I bolted like a flash of lightning. My dad seemed to be hollering, “Slow down, Angie, slow down!” What did he know? You’re supposed to run fast if you’re going to win, right?

I was leading the pack, but getting winded quickly. Halfway into the race I lost my endurance and fell to the back of the pack. Thoughts of making it into my hometown newspaper for breaking a new record mile turned to “if I could just finish this stupid race.” My lungs were burning from the cold wind. I finished, but can’t remember my place. It didn’t matter. It was over. I remember standing stooped over in the parking lot, hands on knees, mother patting my back saying, “Breathe, Angie, breathe!”

Endurance…the very word connotes stamina and fortitude, something I was lacking for that terrible race, but I had nothing to draw upon, no guidance or imparting of strength.

How many times have you uttered what I did during that fateful race—of just being able to finish? Fill in the blank. I am sure you are able to testify of a difficulty or challenge.

Where and how do Christians attain endurance? Romans 15:4 tells us everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Not only that, but verse five goes on to tell us that God is the one who gives endurance.

Yes, we are weak (as I was in my race), but His power is made perfect in weakness. His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9). Be confident with the Apostle Paul that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phi 4:6). You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Phi 4:13). Finish the race with endurance from on high!