Run "Your" Race

I do not mean to literally run a race, personally I am done with running, so let me explain.

The other day I watched a show called "The Perfect Race", the story lead me to reflect and ponder aspects of my life and how I approach what I choose to do in life, or how I run my race. 

We each have a "race" to run, or a life to live, and no two people will run the race the same way, at the same speed or from the same perspective. And, the way the race is run will change over time. However, the world does seem to push a norm for running the race or focus on what are acceptable ways to run the race.

As I thought about my "race" I thought about the 30 plus years I did run. My favorite time to run was early in the morning before the world woke up. Those morning runs were how my day started. Running was my way of letting go of worries and challenges because I would talk to God as I ran and would give it all to Him. As I ran those bits would fall along the roadside leaving me prepared to tackle the day from a more positive perspective. How far or how fast I ran never really mattered, it was more about the time spent and letting go.

One day some people suggested that we run a  half marathon together. Running a race was never a goal for me, but I was already running 8-10 miles most days so I decided to do it and began training to get ready. The first race was fun because there was a group of us supporting each other but I am not an athlete nor a competitive one so I wouldn't call the experience joyful. There was a sense of accomplishment as I crossed the finish line but there was no burning desire to do it again, but I did. I ran those races because others wanted me to. Several races later, I realized the training, the added stress and rigor of having to prepare for a race had sucked all of the joy, I had once found, out of running. Looking back now, I think my body responded to that lack of joy and replaced it with pain. Pain is what eventually caused me to quit running altogether. Today, if I attempt to run even a little my body immediately responds with pain after a few steps. I have replaced running with other activities that do bring me joy and my body responds well.  

Back to the story line from the movie, which did involved a girl training to run a race and the coach helping her find and learn how to run her perfect race. The coach knew the girl well, her strengths, her weaknesses, her abilities, and her potential. Since the coach recognized things the runner did not she was equipped to help her hone in on the best way to run her race. This unique approach capitalized on her strengths, pushed her to use untapped abilities and to train in a way that strengthened her mind, body, and abilities. At first, the different training approach was awkward and challenging because it was not what everyone else was doing and it was not what she had grown used to. As time went on the runner grew stronger and could see how this different way of running was perfect for her, it was how she needed to run her race.

We have a coach, a Heavenly Father, who knows us well and sees our potential and knows the best way for us to run our race. If the goal of that race is to return to Him then He will inspire us on the perfect way to run our race, find joy in our race, the right pace, and use our talents and abilities, in ways we cannot discover on our own. There is perfect way for each of us to run our race and in the challenges, trials, setbacks, triumphs, and achievements we can finish our race and find joy in the process. 

Everyone is capable of running the race and God will help find the way to run the race that perfect race but each race will look different from how many others will choose to run theirs. Trusting God, especially when our race looks different, when others around us do not understand, and when we feel awkward going against what the world deems normal. With God, we will run an amazing race and the courage to run our perfect race will materialize.

Are you trying to run your race like someone else is running theirs? 
What are your reasons for running the race the way you are right now?
Is that working for you, does it resonate with your soul, are you joyful in it?

God will help you find the perfect way to run your race, make adjustments along the way and finish beautifully!

​Cheers!
 

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