Our Race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

My girls are on swim team and we are right in the middle of swim season. It has been an exciting season!

Our team has an amazing coach. He is the perfect balance between fun, encouragement, perseverance, and discipline. We go to practice three times per week. Coach is on the pool deck where he has a higher vantage point and he can see the areas my girls need to work on and improve. During practice, Coach encourages them to practice their stroke, perfect their skill, build strength and endurance.

In between practices, we are in our pool, daily. Mike and I encourage our girls to listen closely to what Coach tells them and to swim according to his instruction. 

Their team uniform is sleek, high speed, low drag. They also wear a swim cap. No jewelry, etc is allowed because they don't wear anything that will weigh them down. 

One of the most moving things I've ever seen is their teammates standing on the pool deck screaming their names and cheering them on to finish! They scream, "Go! Go!" and "You can do this!" They start screaming as soon as the buzzer sounds and they don't stop screaming until after they help them out of the water. And then, they hug them, pat their backs, and tell them how great they swam. Even when they don't swim perfectly. 

Race day is not instruction day. Race day is not the time and place for practicing, building, or perfecting. When race day comes, there is no time for instruction. Race day is the result of everything they've done (or not done) in the days prior to the race. We are all there to cheer them on. But the one who swims the race, is Mikea and Gracie. They stand alone at the lane they are assigned. They alone cross the finish line. 

Our lives are much like swim team. For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT) God is our Ultimate Coach! He gifts us apostles, prophets, evangelists,  pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11, NLT). They are gifts from God and should be treated accordingly. God placed them in our lives to help us practice, perfect, and build us up. We are surrounded by huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith. And we are surrounded by amazing friends! Both stand on the sidelines of our lives and cheer us on until our race is finished! They all hold our feet to the fire and expect us to hold tight to His instruction! Everything we do (and don't do) contributes to how we run our race. We must train daily according to His Word, strip off every weight, consciously refuse to be weighed down, and run our race with endurance! 

The Race

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2)

My girls are on swim team this year and my whole family is very excited! There is just something about competitive sports! Even as I write this, I am filled with excited expectation of watching my girls compete! Today, Kohala...tomorrow Olympic Gold!

We are learning so much about competitive swimming. Swimming and breathing techniques are mastered. There is a specific swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles that each swimmer dons during races that deter drag. All jewelry is removed. There is much chatter regarding focus. 

During a recent practice race, I observed one of my girls lose her race because she was completely focused on the distractions around her instead of the finish line. Initially, she was ahead in the race but as she became more and more distracted by her surroundings, she grew further and further behind in the race. First she looked at her competitor, then as her team mates started to encourage her to swim faster, she looked at them. I walked to the front of the crowd to video her and she as soon as she saw me, she raised her head out of the water. All distractions that deterred her from winning her race.

During her race she only looked at the finish line at the beginning of the race. Once the race started she kept her eyes on all the distractions. She was a little disappointed but as soon as I showed her the video, she agreed, in order to win future races she has to focus on the finish line. 

After our discussion, God gently spoke to my spirit. Many times, I had shifted focus in my race of faith. I had forgotten I am surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses. I failed to strip off every weight so I had been pulled down. God lovingly reminds me to run with endurance the race He has set before me. He reminds me to keep my eyes on Jesus who is my champion! The author and the finisher of my faith! 

Are you focused on distractions?  Refocus today!


Look to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith  and its Finisher!