Yep.  We are all in a race.  Paul stated it several times.  We are “pressing towards the goal”. 

 

In 2003, my husband and I ran the L.A. Marathon.  26.2 miles… and let me tell you – that .2 is almost worse than the 26 part!  Ugh.  Steve had ran quite a few marathons prior to this and this was my first.  …and last.  I thought I was prepared, but I definitely was far from that. 

 

Let me put it like this, there were over 17,000 people that finished the race.  Quite impressive!  Steve finished about 7,000 – even more impressive.  What is not so impressive is that I finished by beating only about 400 people.  Yes, I was the end of the race.  I like to say that the only person I beat is the guy with no legs ~ literally, he had no legs, but I DID pass him! ha!

Steve finished the race in a little over 5 hours, but I on the other hand, finished in over 8 hours.  *sigh*  A full day of, not running, but walking, crawling, scooting, slowly moving.  There was only about 6 miles of run in me and they were all gone in the beginning, leaving me with 20.2 miles left. 

 

I was so far behind that at one point I heard a loud truck behind me which ended up being the dump trucks that go through the streets at the end of the race to clean up the water cups and other trash left from the prior 16,600 people. 

 

I had HUGE blisters on my feet (from my new shoes… don’t wear new shoes to a marathon), I had a severe sunburn on my shoulders, head and back (I’m a very white chick), and I was just out of shape for what I was trying to accomplish.  However, my pride made me finish.  I knew people said that I wouldn’t finish so I had to prove them wrong.  I had a goal in mind and although it seemed I’d never finish, I knew I had to because that’s how much pride I have (not always a good thing by the way).

 

As I finished the race I was handed a medal.  Hmm… Even though it took over 8 hours, I had blisters the size of quarters on the bottom of my feet, I had 3rd degree burns from the sun and I could barely move?  Yes, apparently I was awarded a medal… the same medal Steve got and the other 17,000+ people receive!  Ha!  How’s that for justice! haha 

 

I learned something very valuable that day.  We all run the race.  Some of us are prepared for it and have an easier time in life because we know what is ahead of us.  However, there are people that run that same race and struggle through it simply because they are not prepared.  We all get the same prize when we finish, but some people had a rough time making it to the finish line. 

 

As Christians, we know what our finish line is, but if we don’t exercise our faith and walk out the promises and commandments of God, we are going to have a tough time. 

 

So, as you run your daily race of life – walk in God’s promises, live a life of faith.  It is so much easier when we are prepared for what is ahead!