Obstacles in the Race

A year ago I was amidst training for a marathon. It was amazing. I loved what I was doing despite that it wasn't always easy, it was always worth it. All the early mornings, the rainy Saturdays around the bay, and the aches in my blistered toes were worth it. Even once I got to the marathon I wasn't ready, in fact I was sick and on two hours of sleep. But it didn't matter how bad I felt I knew I had trained I was willing to run until I died, and I almost did. I've grown to love running. Running is a celebration of life. It also taught me a lot about how to persevere even when the wind was in my face and the rain in my eyes, ears, and shoes. Running taught me that if you want something bad enough you will push harder when there are obstacles.

For the near sited person an obstacle is reason to quit. I was always prone to quit. When I was in third grade I only finished the soccer season because my parents forced me since I had made a commitment. Later I would start painting and through them out because I didn't like where they were going. When something hinders me from what I think is my desired outcome I'm still prone to give up. Being tired becomes a reason to not exercise. Maybe a disagreement is a reason to not talk or anger is a reason to eat (or not eat). The list goes on. In my life I feel like I have to press in a lot more in order to attain the goal that's before me. I'm convinced that this difficult concept that I've learned from running must be true in life. I've heard it said, "Anything worth having is worth fighting for." So how much fight do I have in me? I want to be a better teacher, but I'm nearly ready to give up because I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle. My point, that I'm trying to articulate mainly to myself, is that if you, Nate, want something then go get it. First, consider the cost. Is it worth it? Probably. But if you don't push through when everything in you wants to quit how will you ever know?

I trained for several months for the LA Marathon. When it came down to it, on the 20th of March of last year, I thought I was ready. The hard reality was that I wasn't. The cold rain poured down for several hours and I eventually was pulled away to safety. But I don't regret it for one second. I didn't even reach my goal, but at the end of the day I could honestly be happy that I put in everything I had. I know that not everyone gets a prize for running this race in the Christian life. But I'm going to try to get mine. I'm going to push so hard through all the obstacles that I don't look back wishing I would've lived differently. My prize is knowing Jesus Christ. I don't know what will come my way as I seek to know him better. The more I know of him the more I want to talk about him with others, the more I understand how lost I was without him, the more I see his goodness to me. I want to make that known and at least available to others. The cost is great. It hasn't required my breath but I know that if it did, it's the only thing I'd give up to reach my goal of knowing Christ.

1 Peter 4:12-19 "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, 'If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?' So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you."