Losing the Race

Can you imagine training for years and years so that you might win that one race most coveted? You enter the race on the strength of wins in several heats. You’re the favorite, the one to beat, everyone is expecting that you will set a world record and take home the gold.

When the few seconds have elapsed, you are not in first place, or second or third. You have hit the last hurdle, and knocked off stride, your years of preparation, your expectations, your dreams of Olympic gold are gone. . .probably forever.

When I saw that last night I was reminded of the Apostle Paul who told the Philippians — “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom  you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of life, so that [you] may rejoice in the day of Christ that [you] have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

If the Olympics teach us anything at all it is that life is full of hurdles, that the race requires our total concentration and consecration, and that failing to be obedient leads to great loss. “Just wait till next year!” does not apply. This is the race. . .and it is now!