Run the race marked out for you- Part 3

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ Hebrews 12:1-3

This past academic year I taught a pupil who was always in a rush. No matter the task I set, she had it ingrained in her that she needed to be the first to finish and was always trying to beat everyone – at everything. I spent most of my time encouraging her to slow down; whether it was when she knocked someone out of the way to get to the front of the line, or raced through her work in order to be the first one finished. No task was exempt from her trying to set some sort of world record completing it. She even changed quickly for PE, which you would think was every teacher’s dream – and she was praised for her speedy changing- until we discovered that she would leave parts of her uniform on under PE kit in order to be changed quicker!

Sometimes I think this is how we run the race that has been set out for us. We happily pootle along in our lane, merrily going about our business, until we see someone else speedily approaching in their own lane. All of a sudden we can deem our steady trot as being not good enough and begin to think that we should be aspiring to the race that we see another racing. There can be the temptation to cut corners or race ahead of God’s timing to satisfy our desire to ‘keep up with the Jones’. Thankfully, we haven’t all be called to run the same race and we can’t fool God by taking shortcuts. He knows us and sees us every step of the way. There is nothing we can hide from him.

It reminds me of the story of Abraham and Sarah who, once they’d received God’s promise, got tired of waiting and took matters into their own hands with Hagar. Read the story from Genesis 16 here https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3Fsearch%3DGenesis%2B16%26version%3DNIV%26interface%3Damp

By the end of term, the child in question was beginning to channel her need for speed and found her niche on Sports Day where her competitive streak and desire to rush was rewarded when she won her races! Finally I wasn’t needing to ask her to slow down in order to give her best, but was able to cheer her on to victory. Her use of speed was appropriate, necessary, useful and to be encouraged. God has gifted us each individually and with a purpose. My pupil had the skill of speed, but was beginning to realise it was not good in all contexts. And so it is with our callings; we have gifts, but their use won’t be appropriate for every situation and we may have to wait for God’s promises and blessings to be fully realised. Think square peg, round hole. How many times have we tried to shoehorn ourselves into a situation that just wasn’t meant for us? We aren’t living a Goldilocks existence where everything automatically fits ‘just right’ in our lives, but when we find, and live in that purpose, they may do moreso.

The child had been taught and trained in PE lessons to focus on the end of her lane and not to watch others as she raced, and she managed it. I’m sure this, among other factors, helped her to win as she remained focused on her end goal. Those that weave in and out of their own lane and others’ lanes are the ones who, when the race begins, get distracted and begin looking to see what and how their friends are doing, or start searching the crowds to look for loved ones to wave to. This girl had the sole focus of running well. ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Matthew 6:21

Whilst I was updating my website, I began to look at other people’s sites and wishing I had their following, or that my website looked as professional. I kept thinking about how each site seemed far beyond anything I could do, when I was convicted to stop comparing myself to others.

Persevere and you will find your own niche, and do well in your way. Run your own race well.

Read ‘Run the race marked out for you, Part 1 https://rubyslippergirl.wordpress.com/2014/06/15/run-the-race-marked-out-for-you/

and Part 2 here https://rubyslippergirl.wordpress.com/2014/11/03/run-the-race-marked-out-for-you-part-2/

 

Because you’re worth it

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’

At the start of the year, I challenged myself to run a half marathon and despite not classing myself as a long distance runner, I diligently set out to train for it. (See ‘The best made plans’ https://rubyslippergirl.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/the-best-made-plans/) While most people were encouraging and enthusiastic about my challenge, I experienced some people who on the surface I felt doubted my ability to rise to the challenge. One asked a friend whether I’d be able to keep up on a training run, while another who was also running, drew comparisons and expressed his concern that I might ‘beat him’ and used his desire to finish before me as an impetus to keep training. However, rather than dissuading me, it spurred me on, and made me realise just how far I’ve come in finding my identity in God. Even a year ago, if someone had expressed doubt over some of my plans, or drawn unfavourable comparisons, it would have left me feeling defeated and deflated, and I probably would have doubted my ability to complete that race.

It reminded me of the ten spies who were sent out to go and explore the promised land ahead of the Israelites and their reaction to what they had seen, versus the reaction of Joshua and Caleb, who had also witnessed the same thing.

Numbers 13: 31-33 says ‘But the men who had gone with him said, “We can’t attack those people! They’re too strong for us!” So they began to spread lies among the Israelites about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored is one that devours those who live there. All the people we saw there are very tall. We saw Nephilim there. (The descendants of Anak are Nephilim.) We felt as small as grasshoppers, and that’s how we must have looked to them.”

While Numbers 14:5-9 (NIV) says, ‘Immediately, Moses and Aaron bowed with their faces touching the ground in front of the whole community of Israel assembled there. At the same time, two of those who had explored the land, Joshua (son of Nun) and Caleb (son of Jephunneh), tore their clothes in despair. They said to the whole community of Israel, “The land we explored is very good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us. This is a land flowing with milk and honey! Don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. We will devour them like bread. They have no protection, and the Lord is with us. So don’t be afraid of them.”

Joshua and Caleb knew God’s character, what he was capable of, and they knew who they were in God. Those are definitely attributes to aspire to.

Never let anyone tell you that you can’t, if God has said you can. The Israelites might have missed out on the Promised Land because of the opinions expressed by a few. Which of God’s promises might you miss out on because of the opinions of a few?

In my post ‘T(wit t)who do you think you are’ (https://rubyslippergirl.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/twit-twho-do-you-think-you-are/) I shared a little about my journey to find my identity and worth in God.

My worth

My worth isn’t found in my clothes,
And it’s not in the fluctuations of the scales.
It’s not to be found in my appearance,
Or when the world tells me I’ve failed.

My worth isn’t found in others,
Their opinions, their actions or words.
It isn’t to be found in a hobby or a job,
Or in times I’ve suffered let-downs or hurts.

My worth isn’t found in status updates or tweets,
It isn’t in how many likes I receive.
It isn’t changeable whether I’m elated or deflated,
And it isn’t dependent on what I achieve.

It isn’t to be found in relationship drama,
It isn’t in unrequited love.
It surpasses all human knowledge and understanding,
And begins with the One from above.

I know I’m fearfully and wonderfully made,
I know I’m more precious than rubies and gold.
I know that though earthly riches may fade,
My worth is always to be found in the Lord.

(Anon)

Be footloose and let it shine

‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’ Psalm 119:105

As Christians, God’s word should lead our feet; the way we walk, the direction we go in life and the work we do on His behalf and how we do it.

I hate feet! I think it’s the thought of all those gnarled toes, corns and verruccas, hard skin and long toenails that could be lurking in people’s socks that put me off! Such is my dislike of feet, that I shudder whenever I think of them, and have resorted to wearing flip flops whenever I have to use public showers.

The more I think about it, the more I realise that those who spend a lot of time standing or walking, therefore putting repeated pressure on their feet, are the ones whose feet are likely to need TLC. One antidote to unsightly feet is a pedicure, where a professional will slough off the dead, hard skin, leaving you with baby soft undersoles. If you’ve ever been for a pedicure, they usually suggest that you wear flip flops afterwards, so as not to ruin the pedicurist’s hard work. It’s the same with our faith walk. If we don’t spend time walking out our faith, we won’t develop. Equally, every so often we need to rest and be restored. The more hard work has gone in, the more developed that hard skin on our feet will be. Having baby soft undersoles may look nice, but as soon as the feet are put through any intense work, if there is not a protective layer, it is going to be painful. You don’t want the feet that are fresh from a pedicure, but their owner is cautious because they don’t want to smudge their nail polish. Neither do you want the feet that are on a safe, protective surface, where the owner is fearful of what they may come into contact with.

Anyone who plays netball regularly can tell tales of feet that have been battered around inside trainers, feet that have been stepped on, as well as lost toe nails, injured muscles, bones and ligaments. As they weather the storm, your feet develop hard skin, to protect them from pressure. Despite the risk of injury while playing netball, I always went back for more the following week because what could happen to my feet didn’t outweigh the pleasure of playing. In the same way, the pressure and pain that can sometimes come with faith doesn’t override the blessings that following Jesus gives.

Feet are an important part of our walk of faith. No matter what shape our feet are in, whether they are weather beaten and battered, they need to be ready for walking and ready to step out and be led by God’s word. Your feet will tell the tale of your walk.

Recently I was out running after work and needed to use a headtorch as it was already dark. I noticed that I had to aim my gaze close to my feet in order to see path ahead clearly. Every time I looked further ahead, the light became weaker and it was more difficult to see where I was going. It reminded me about my faith walk; that every time I look too far ahead and take my eyes off Jesus, or look to other things to ‘be a lamp to my feet’, I increase my risk of stumbling, but when I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, he is there to guide me.

‘Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.’ Psalm 119:105-112 NIV

The best made plans

‘We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.’ Proverbs 16:9 NLT

Do you ever get the impression that God has an incredible sense of humour?

I recently signed up to run a race which is going to require regular training, so last night the super-organised part of me set out an in depth training schedule, detailing when exactly I was going to fit runs in around my other commitments. Imagine my horror when I woke up this morning to a weather warning, predicting snow and icy conditions for the exact period that I had planned to go running this evening. After getting annoyed, I did manage to adapt my workout, and see the funny side, that on Day One, my carefully put together schedule needed to go out of the window.

It reminded me that sometimes, in life, we make our intricate plans of how we think life is going to go, and struggle to accept it when God has other ideas. We try to shoehorn His will for our lives into our own will, or disregard it completely, therefore limiting what God has for us, and wants to do in and through us. However, when we surrender and stop trying to fight, we open ourselves up to receiving God’s best for us; which is so much better than anything that we could imagine for ourselves. The Bible is full of promises which resonate this.

1 Corinthians 2:9 says, ‘However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”-
the things God has prepared for those who love him.’

In Isaiah 55: 8-9 it says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

Run the race marked out for you- part 2

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ Hebrews 12:1-3

Recently I took part in my first race since I returned from my travels and my first run in around 3 months. I decided to enter a trail run, which I had raced in before, and which I knew would be challenging. The race itself was difficult as it included steep inclines and down hill slopes, which were slick and muddy from recent rainfall. As I raced, I was conscious that I needed to set a steady pace if I wanted to achieve a good time, but to also run slowly enough so that I didn’t lose my footing. Throughout the race, I kept focused; taking it slower on the hills, and on the downward muddy sections, as I was conscious that I wasn’t wearing the right kind of shoes. Any seasoned runner will testify that it is wise to wear trail shoes, which traditionally have a thicker sole and stronger grip than usual running shoes; making them perfect for running on mixed terrain. Despite knowing this, like the fool I am, I decided to run in my usual running shoes.

As I was (rather gingerly!) running, I couldn’t help but think about how just as we need the right equipment when we are running, we need the right equipment when we are on a walk of faith. God gives us the tools we need for the journey. The amazing thing is that he knows exactly what we need and will provide that in the shape of a lesson learned or a person that he brings into our lives. If we try to go on our own journey with our own equipment, we aren’t properly prepared and we will stumble.

Our race in life is going to have uphill battles, where we struggle, and there are going to be parts where things are easier and it seems that we are free wheeling. At these times in particular we have to be aware of attack, and be careful that complacency doesn’t come into our faith life, or we will fall. We need to constantly be persevering and pressing into God. Early on in my faith journey I naively thought that once I had conquered one battle – that would be it; that I would be ‘set for life’. It’s been a steep learning curve, but by God’s grace, he keeps bringing me through trials. I’ve learned that I need to be on constant alert against complacency and to keep striving to have a deeper relationship with Him.

During the race at one point I looked behind me to see if anyone was coming up to overtake me. As I did so, I was reminded of Lot’s wife. Despite warnings, she looked back, and suffered the consequences for doing so (Genesis 19:26). Looking back at where we’ve been can be an unnecessary distraction, as we can unwittingly fix our eyes on our past mistakes, or on what others are doing, rather than on Jesus. To run a good race, we need to keep looking ahead at the course planned out in front of us.

On the home stretch of the race, the compère was calling people’s numbers to encourage them as they crossed the finish line. It was a real boost, but I couldn’t help thinking that because God knows us each intimately, at the end of our race for him it will be even better. To God, we aren’t just a number. He has our names engraved on the palm of his hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Run the race marked out for you

Since I’ve been back from my travels, I’ve started attending my local Parkrun as a way to get fit again. Parkrun isn’t technically a race, but it is a timed weekly 5k run. I’ve always had a competitive streak (ask anyone who’s ever played rounders or netball with me!), but more recently I’ve become more adept at pushing myself and going that bit further to get back to my pre-travel fitness. They say pride comes before a fall, and I certainly learned that lesson the hard way last week. As I approached the finish line, I saw a lady not too far ahead of me, and decided to try and run her down. What I didn’t bank on was that the park was slick with mud after a recent rainfall, and I ended up lying in the mud with my legs akimbo in front of a crowd of supporters at the finish line. Suffice to say, I slunk off as quickly as possible to lick my wounds and nurse my bruised ego, covered in mud. (I did return this week determined to live it down and redeem myself; let’s just say I was much more careful where I placed my feet this time!)

Whilst considering my runs over the past two weeks, it struck me that racing is a lot like life. I realised that I, and probably a lot of the world, spend their time trying to ‘catch up’ with others. It might be by comparing our lives to others and feeling like we come up short, or by trying to emulate what we perceive to be others’ success. However it manifests, can this lead to missing out on opportunities of your own, due to being focussed on what others have?

This week I focussed on my own run and enjoyed it much more. I realised that trying to outrun other people wasn’t working for me; I’ve yet to catch anyone, although I’m unsure if that’s due to a lack of fitness, or because I’m striving for what isn’t mine. I’m much better off focussing on my own goals and improving my fitness in my own way and in my own time. The ironic thing was, at the end of this weekend’s run, a father and son approached me to tell me that I’d been their target through the run, and they’d been contemplating how to outrun me. It seems we’re all at it!

During my travels, on one hiking trip, our guide said to me, ‘Don’t forget to look up and enjoy the scenery.’ I had been so busy looking at my feet and focussed on where I was stepping, that I was missing the journey to get to our final destination. I don’t want that to be my life, so I’m taking steps to make sure that doesn’t happen.

‘Let us throw off everything that hinders and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’