So, it’s probably no secret that I’ve become a wee little bit addicted to a few things over the last couple of weeks. The first thing is Hebrews 12, the second is race analogies & the third is ‘Live Like That’ by the Sidewalk Prophets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjZ94K7UQs&list=RDCsjZ94K7UQs&feature=share
While it's been several days since I finished up the trifecta of racing blogs on mile one, two & three of the 5K, something is still pestering me. It's the .10686. You know I don't get caught up with numbers. They rarely hold meaning for me, but this is important. Cause .10686 is how much longer you run after the three miles to finish. You are often so close you can see the finish line from that place.
Several years ago now, I ran a half-triathlon with a dear friend. The ‘race’ consisted of a 1/2 mile swim, a 15 mile bike ride & a 5K run. I still have no idea what possessed me. It might have been that I was quickly approaching 40 or that I was on one of my diet exercise kicks or that I simply didn't want to get left out of something that might be monumentally fun. I have to admit that this infernal quest of mine to experience 'all things fun' has gotten me into some of the most ridiculous situations. Most, I wouldn't dare put into print. Seriously.
Anyhoo, I managed not to drown in the swim & fared pretty well on the bike aka I didn't tip over & fall into a ditch. When I got to the run I was relieved. Running is my favorite. I took off & got into the zone... I was amazed how good I felt. I just ran... & ran... & ran... & ran... however, the longer I ran, them more I began to wonder how far I had actually gone. It seemed like forever. This was by far the longest stinkin’ 5K of my life.
Finally, I came across some girls running the opposite direction. I asked breathlessly, "Where is the turn around?"
"Oh just up the way about a quarter of a mile."
"This is the longest 5K ever!" I wheezed.
"Oh honey", replied one gal, stifling a laugh, "you passed that turn around a long way back. The 10K turnaround is just around the next turn."
Well, ohhhhhhhhhhhhkayyyyyyy then...
Sometimes, my life outside of a race, feels a lot like this. It’s long & arduous. Sometimes I take a wrong turn or miss one altogether. Sometimes I feel like I may be too tired to finish. & to be honest, there have been many times where I’ve wondered if what I am doing in my step by step, day to day, is worth anything at all.
This really got me thinking about the finish. Unlike a physical race, I have no idea when I am going to be done with my life. If I did, I’d probably be treating it like a 5K. I’d be starting up slow, finding my pace & would be saving up my energy for the end so I could finish well.
In light of my lack of foresight, the way I look at running the race of my life should be much different from that of a 5K. I need to look at each & every day as my last. I just don’t have the luxury to sit back on my laurels & wait until I’m in my 70’s or 80’s to begin living a radical life for Jesus. I just might not have that much time.
Oh yes, I know that if I choose to live this way, it will be scary. It will likely not make sense to anyone outside of God. People might call me a wackadoo. But I can’t think about that stuff. Jesus called me to mission. A mission to take each & every moment I have in this race to reach out to others & to bring Him glory. This is what I long to leave behind when I finish. Lives changed because I ran here. Lives changed because of Jesus. The author & perfecter of my faith.
Carry on dear runners… carry on.
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