The Main Thing

It can be really hot in Alabama this time of year. But not this morning. Weather forecasters predict rain. That's ok. A little rain won't interfere with my race plan. My strategy for this 8K is to start at a steady pace, then gradually accelerate, and finish strong. I've never run this course before; but I've heard it's tough. Early into the run, I experience just how tough. Way more hills than I expected. Killer hills. I try to let my legs do the work going uphill so that my heart won't have to work so hard. Instead, my heart pounds. The pavement pounds into my legs. And I'm not even half way. Too late, I realize that I've made a big mistake. I neglected the most essential element of training for a race that includes hills. Hill workouts! I complete the race. But not with that strong finish that I envisioned. A little disappointing. I've experienced similiar disappointment in other endeavors because of that same reason. I want to stay strong, but somehow along the way, I miss the main thing. And as a result, I fizzle out at the end. Biblical writers sometimes compare life to running a race. According to scripture, "The race is not to the swift" (Ecclesiastes 9:11a). This means that to God, the race isn't about running fast. Or breaking records. God says that the main thing in life's race is the relationship. Ours with Him. It's in spending time with Him daily that we get to know Him. His love. His forgiveness. His grace. His mercy. His promises. We spend time with Him so that He can reveal Himself to us. That's how He trains us and strengthens us for the race. He wants to be the main thing in our lives. Sweet dreams, Deb