Run the Race

When I was in high school, I was part of the track team… alright let me rephrase, I was a decoration on the track team lol. The team had really tall and fast guys and girls who seemed like they never got tired after running fast and far… and then there were some of us who were catching their breath after running half a lap on the track. i.e. moi.

Anyway, I remember one of our track meets when the coach placed me as part of the sprinters. The goal was to run a 400meter race and beat the other schools we were competing with. It was my first real race and I remember thinking to myself, “Just 1 lap, Dede, you can do 1 lap”

So when the time came for me to run, a group of us went to the starting line. The coach said “on your marks”… my heart started beating “boom cha, boom cha”

“Get set,” the coach uttered. “Boom boom cha, boom boom cha”

The pistol went off. At that moment, I thought to myself that I wasn’t in this race with the others. This race was between me and I. I began running 🏃‍♀️.  Longer legs sprinted past me one by one. I kept running. You should have seen me when I made it to a quarter of a way through. I wanted to stop by all means possible. But I kept running. Halfway through, I began to think of ways I could fake a collapse because I was so out of breath. But I kept running. At this point, I was second to last. “At least, I’m not last,” I thought.

Then the girl behind me started to get closer and closer and she eventually made it past me. I kept running and finally stumbled past the finish line … in last place.

Honestly, I was proud of myself for finishing the race without stopping. However, as I reflected on this particular race, I realized that I wasn’t physically and mentally fit to run that race. I joined the team to “look good” but I truly did not put in the work to perform well. Yes, I attended practice but when I went home, I ate the wrong foods and slept. I didn’t dedicate extra time to make sure my mind and body were ready for the race.

1 Corinthians 9:24

²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Doesn’t that look like some of our daily lives or even Christian lives? We join the team become a Believer, start the course, pursue the relationship and we are excited but then it gets to a point where the extra work stops. Yet we expect to be “fit” when we are running the race of life. Yikes… aight let me chill. Nah but for real though, ask yourself this question. Do I go the extra mile with what I’m doing? In my spiritual life, career, academics, relationships, marriage etc, am I putting in the extra work or just showing up for the race expecting to win. I’m not writing this to judge anyone but God reminded me of this race in particular and related it to my spiritual life so I wanted to share this with you too.

The good news is that there is hope for the future. Here are a few reminders.

1. Everyone’s race is different. Do not compare yourself to those who seem to be doing better than you. It will steal your joy. Run your God appointed race.
2. You have others running the race alongside you. These are people I call, destiny helpers. Find them and lean on them for support.
3. Even if you do not feel the support from the people around you, know that God is always there running with you. Always. Allow Him to carry you through. Just talk to Him about whatever you need help with and He will answer you.
4. Do your part by putting in the work. Talk to God, wake up earlier to study, put in the effort to build relationships, finish the course… Perseverance yields results.

As the track season went on, I saw improvements in my stamina and endurance. I still never got first place in races but I got better in crossing finish lines. Have hope in your race. If you put in the work and keep the above reminders in mind, you will still win in the end. Once you cross the line, you are still a winner regardless of the number of people who crossed the line before you.

Keep On Running.

Song Reminder

Darius James – Keep On Running (Feat. Aaron Cole)