it's all about the finish

Practicing for the BIG finish 

Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. -Hebrews 12:1

For many, triathlons are all about the numbers.


 Distance--How many yards swam, miles biked, miles run.
 Times--legs, transitions & finish. 


& to get the best possible times the competitors invest in all the proper equipment. They have wetsuits for the swim, aerodynamic bikes made from super light carbon fiber, helmets shaped like bullets, special shoes for biking & running, tight fitting outfits made from dry-fit to accommodate all the elements, water infused with electrolytes & packets of gel or chews or whatever to give you a shot of energy. Quite frankly, the transition areas are a little like stepping onto another planet of skinny, spandex clad, helmet headed martians. Weird. 

Anyhoo...  right about now, you could ask me about my times for the tri but I'm not going to remember them. To be honest, I don't even really care. What I do care about is that I finished without stopping... it's really all about the experience for me. I mean, what's not to love about the experience of watching my parents win medals in their age class (no matter that they were the only participants in their age class). Of my friend Morgs swimming the first part of my race for me & saving me from certain death. Of the beautiful lake on mile seven of the bike & the precious little boy at mile three of the run who gave me a cup of water & a high-five. Of the moment when the finish line finally came into sight & seeing Hubs waiting there for me. Cause you all know that competitive guy totally kicked my butt. 

Friday morning, I found myself out on the trail for my first run of real substance since the triathlon last week. Oh, I've taken a couple of leisurely bike rides across town to the ballpark to watch a few of our church kids play ball & have taken a few nice walks around the lake near my work but I haven't really ran since Saturday. 

At first my legs were a little stiff but as I rounded the corner at mile one I was feeling... well to be honest, I was feeling pretty darn good. The previous weeks of training were paying off. 

In that moment... as I settled into what I call "the Zone"... I began to feel... grateful. Here I was healthy... running... legs moving, heart pumping, lungs breathing. It was glorious. 

I began to think about the amazing race of life God has called us to. How the journey is less about how 'successful' we are, how much money we make, what kind of house we live in, or what type of car we drive, but rather how we invest the time we are given. We are so often worried about the race that we forget that it's really all about the finish. We are called to run... not fast... but well. Cause it's really all about putting one foot in front of the other... growing in Christ... giving of ourselves to others. Staying on the road God has for us. Not stopping but still taking time to take in the scenery. To enjoy every single moment we are given till we catch glimpse of the finish line. 

It's not the investment in the temporal that we will be remembered for. It will be the eternal investment we make in others that will be remembered long after we are gone. 

Keep moving forward... 
Run hard... 
& finish well people...
Finish well. 


“Life is short, so live it full! Know that the work that the Lord has begun in you, He will finish it. So, honor Him today with your gift to Him, "steadfastness/endurance to live His work, and not yours. It may get tough along this journey where the enemy speaks "quit", but remember, God is not through with what He began in you. In God, your life shall be made full and complete( whole)!”

-Anita R. Sneed-Carter