The Race
She had one goal.
After the first meet of the season, my daughter had just one goal: to run the 1600M in less than six minutes. Despite her diligent efforts in practice and pushing herself at meets, the closest she got was 6:00.34. Those fractions of a second (!) were frustrating to her but the time still qualified for the middle school district meet.
The runners lined up for the race, tense and leaning in. I knew the girls on either side of my gal were also the top competitors from their respective schools. Gunsmoke signaled the last race of the season was underway. As the pack thinned and the girls found their own rhythms, I watched my daughter settle into her stride, praying silently that she’d reach her goal in the coming minutes.
Some of the runners shot off the front, elevating their pace to an impressive clip. I recorded the lap intervals, hopeful that breaking six would be feasible. The leader whizzed past on the final lap, striding out at full tilt, logging a 5:23 at the line. My gal was rounding the bend, sitting in about 10th. She crossed the finish line at a thrilling 5:54.
Six seconds better than previous. Six.
We credit this improvement to one thing: her companions on the track. Running alongside an entire pack of girls at the top of their (middle school) sport, striving earnestly for the finish line, encouraged my girl to lift her own pace to that which had previously been untenable to her.
I find the same to be true in my faith journey. There are some ‘runners’ who are so far ahead of me that they’re out of my reach. They are an inspiration nonetheless, excellent examples to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1). Yet there are others — those just up ahead — that push me to dig deeper into God’s Word and to run harder after Him. I am a better runner because they’re in the race. I pray I can offer the same encouragement to those on my heels.
Wisdom from Proverbs illustrates the desirable effect of camaraderie in the faith:
As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.
— Proverbs 27:17 NLT
We are sharpened and refined by our relationships to others, strengthened by their strength. They aren’t our competition, adversaries to edge out for a prize. Conversely, they are God’s chosen instruments for honing our character and faith according to His pleasure, making us all victors.
My daughter’s fellow athletes at the district meet brought out in her something untapped in previous races. Likewise, those with whom we surround ourselves in our faith journeys matters. They will either press us toward God in new and deeper ways, or they will permit us to sit comfortably, content with the the status quo. (Tweet this?)
With whom will you choose to run?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
— Hebrews 12:1,2a NIV
{Please note the follow-up question in the comments below.}
While I’m advocating the importance of having Christian friends — who push us closer to God — we cannot excuse ourselves from interacting with those who don’t yet know the Truth. This is part of our purpose in life, God’s expressed design. So, how do you balance the two?
While I’m advocating the importance of having Christian friends — who push us closer to God — we cannot excuse ourselves from interacting with those who don’t yet know the Truth. This is part of our purpose in life, God’s expressed design. So, how do you balance the two?
While I’m advocating the importance of having Christian friends — who push us closer to God — we cannot excuse ourselves from interacting with those who don’t yet know the Truth. This is part of our purpose in life, God’s expressed design. So, how do you balance the two?
While I’m advocating the importance of having Christian friends — who push us closer to God — we cannot excuse ourselves from interacting with those who don’t yet know the Truth. This is part of our purpose in life, God’s expressed design. So, how do you balance the two?
Kirsten,
Great post – my study group had this similar conversation this week. 😉 Congrats to your daughter too! Have a great weekend,
Love, Hester 😉
Kirsten,
Great post – my study group had this similar conversation this week. 😉 Congrats to your daughter too! Have a great weekend,
Love, Hester 😉
Kirsten,
Great post – my study group had this similar conversation this week. 😉 Congrats to your daughter too! Have a great weekend,
Love, Hester 😉
Congrats to your daughter, Kirsten! And you’re right — it’s a delicate balance, but SO important to be salt and light with people who need that. I like spending time with my neighbors, and exercising with girl friends. Even casual conversations can be sprinkled with salt 🙂
Congrats to your daughter, Kirsten! And you’re right — it’s a delicate balance, but SO important to be salt and light with people who need that. I like spending time with my neighbors, and exercising with girl friends. Even casual conversations can be sprinkled with salt 🙂
Congrats to your daughter, Kirsten! And you’re right — it’s a delicate balance, but SO important to be salt and light with people who need that. I like spending time with my neighbors, and exercising with girl friends. Even casual conversations can be sprinkled with salt 🙂
Congrats to your daughter, Kirsten! And you’re right — it’s a delicate balance, but SO important to be salt and light with people who need that. I like spending time with my neighbors, and exercising with girl friends. Even casual conversations can be sprinkled with salt 🙂
Congrats to your daughter, Kirsten! And you’re right — it’s a delicate balance, but SO important to be salt and light with people who need that. I like spending time with my neighbors, and exercising with girl friends. Even casual conversations can be sprinkled with salt 🙂