I will never forget the day. The air was crisp; the sun was blue and not a cloud in the sky. I had trained for months. I got up each morning at 4:45 a.m. and got dressed for my workout. I was so faithful. I never let anything get in the way of my training. In fact, I was very single focused. I wanted to do so well at my first triathlon.
The first part of a triathlon is the swimming. I am a fish so that was a piece of cake. I quickly jumped out of the pool and threw on my biking shorts and shirt over the dripping swimsuit. I had been biking indoors all winter and had finally gotten my bike just 2 weeks before the race. It felt amazing to get on the bike and spin my little heart out. Faster and faster I pushed to keep up with more seasoned riders. The exhilaration of the wind in my face and excitement was pushing me faster.
I was going so fast and failed to slow down at the spot where you drop your bike and put on your running shoes that I slid on the pavement. Graceful as a doe? Don’t I wish! I quickly dusted myself off and threw on my tennis shoes and started off on the last leg of the race.
Now I am a lousy runner. I sound like an elephant trying to run the race. I had also trained for months running indoors. However, I learned a valuable lesson, training indoors for running is not a suitable substitute. I was quickly introduced to hills and valleys that I had not trained for.
I plugged along moving my body forward. My body was screaming and I just wanted to finish. About ¼ of a mile from the finish line there were my children on the side of the road, cheering me on. As I looked toward the finish line my entire family (including my brother who drove from Saint Louis to be with me) was clapping and calling my name. I ran as fast as my tired body would take me, right into the arms of my husband where I promptly balled my eyes out.
I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had finished the race. I kept my eyes focused in front of me always remembering the goal was the finish line. I was tickled pink that day.
Our lives are one big race. Here is what the writer of Hebrews says;
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:1-2 (ESV)
How is your training going this week. Do you have the right tools to win the race? Never, ever grow weary precious sister. We know how the story ends.
Till tomorrow may God’s grace be upon you.
In Christ Alone,
Jill