However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is the finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me — the task of testifying to the Good News of God’s grace! Acts 20:24
This verse was prayed over me 3 years ago. I thought I was supposed to go on the world race that next year. Turns out God had different plans and it wasn’t until this year. Now I’m finally at the FINISH!!
ALL year I’ve been waiting and looking for a legit official 5k or 10k to run in EVERY country. Every time I found one it was either impossible to get to or not happening the time we’re in that country.
Finally, month 11, FINAL MONTH, God gave me the opportunity to run a 10k in Guatemala City!!! (I took this as an early birthday gift from Him) 1 Week before the race ends he just throws that little treat in there for me. Oh He is too good to me. 🙂
Anyway, while running the race I was at the 5k mark and tired. Half way. This man (in the photo)
starts running beside me and I notice we’re going about the same pace so I just try and stay with him. When I wanted to let up he would tell me, “Vamos!” (Let’s go!) I thought okay maybe this time but next time I’ll just let him go. I prayed for the Lord to give me strength but it was a battle with my mind. I didn’t want to let up but part of me was fine with it. Anyway, this man kept saying, “Vamos!!” and every time that would give me motivation to keep going forward. Finally we got probably half a mile before the finish line and surprisingly I was still with him. I could finally see the finish line. I then kicked it up and thought “alright…every ounce of energy left give it your ALL” So I sprinted toward the finish line finishing in under 45 minutes!! Praise the Lord!
God taught me a couple things through that race. (As He usually does with all races)
#1 The importance of encouragement.
I know that the encouragement of that man telling me to keep going really did help me keep going.
Yes, the Lord gave me strength but the Lord used this man to tell me that I could keep going. I noticed this on the race. It’s so important to have community and people around you encouraging you to keep going forward because there were plenty of times when we all wanted to stop at some point…especially when it got hard.
It’s the same I’m sure as in your life too. Surround yourself with people to encourage you with your walk with the Lord and to help you to keep moving forward with Him when times get rough.
#2 Push it until the end!!
Something my college cross country coach would always tell us was “run through the finish line” meaning not to let up before you cross the line. So many times we see the end before we reach it and then we just let up because we’ve “almost” made it.
The last 2 days of ministry I was able to share this word with the Teen Challenge guys (group photo) who are going through a drug and alcohol rehab program…telling them the importance of encouraging one another to keep moving forward in their rehabilitation process. I was also able to share my testimony with the teenagers on the street, and my favorite, on the way to ministry pull out my mandolin to start singing worship in Spanish. I was leading Guatemalans in worship on the public transportation started singing praises to the Lord!! It was so cool!
Look at the season of life you are in right now and push it until the end!! Don’t let up but be all 100% in relying fully on the Lord to carry you every step of the way.
I understand my “race” isn’t finished so even though this “event” and “season” in my life is coming to a close I will still continue to state and proclaim that I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is the finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me — the task of testifying to the Good News of God’s grace!
