Run The Race

I just heard from a dear, sweet friend that is about to head abroad to her calling. She has known her calling and has run toward that calling not looking back.  Hearing from her and seeing her zest and excitement at this new adventure has made me think.

Do I run with that kind of zeal? Do I press on?

I feel like age and life have left me a little more timid, a little more fearful and a little more cautious.

Where are the days of throwing caution to the wind and running?

I think they were before the baby and the dog.

And while I’m on this subject, should I not remember the incredible miracle that brought this baby to us the way it did?

Sorry for all of the questions – but sometimes I think we need to reevaluate our ‘zeal.’

Yes, I feel we are more zealous the younger we are. When we are leaving high school, college, vocational school, etc., we are like the stallions standing behind the gates at the Kentucky Derby; waiting for the gates to swing open to take off, bounding toward our goal.

Now, I sometimes feel a little like my puppy standing in the doorway on a rainy day, not wanting to get his feet wet. But to see his reaction once he comes back in from the rain – he’s ecstatic, running around, wiping his feet- and thankful he went.

So – where do we stand?

Somewhere in between stallion and rainy day puppy.  

I want to be the stallion – braced and ready to go. The stallion is who he is due to his training, his breaking, his thoroughbred, his build, his care, and his jockey. I think its time to realize we are bred by the ultimate ‘breeder’. We are given gifts and talents that are special and unique to each one of us. We have been raised in such a way to prepare us for every step we take. 

So why not run? Why hesitate? Why doubt? (Yes, we are human, but we have a maker that is greater, stronger and mightier than anything.) He can move mountains. His voice can shatter the cedars of Lebanon. (Psalm 29:5) Since we are discussing mountains, I’d like to point out that he has given us the ability to move mountains – with only a mustard seed of faith. (Matthew 17:20)

So am I ready to shoot out of the gate? Are you?

Let us run with perseverance the race that has been marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

It’s time.