In It To Win

"Tomorrow, we are having a 5k (3.2 miles) run to support our cause," spoken by a friend whom I had not seen in over 30 years.  She said, "why not come?  You don't have to run, you can walk."  In the back of my mind, I kept hearing my body say, "girl, you know you are too tired and have other things burning on the stove top of life."  Yet, in my desire to support others who are representing a good cause, I said, "yes, I'll be there."  I felt my entire endocrine system weaken at the thought of simply waking up at 4:00 a.m. just to get to the race site.

Well, there I was....a few short steps from the starting line.  I knew I was going to walk the 3.2 miles.  As soon as the whistle blew, I was off....not in a walk, but a strong JOG!  My body screamed, "Wait, you are suppose to walk, not jog....you have not competed in a road race in over 12 years....what are you thinking....you are not ready for the hill climbs, tough surface of the asphalt, nor the change in terrain....you're going to pass out!"  My thoughts were everywhere, yet one thought kept surfacing - wrestling the negative thoughts down - you can do this.  You are in it to win!  Don't settle for less!  As I cleared the 2.2 mile marker, a race official said, "you are on the home stretch so dig deep."   Digging deeper, I mustered up more energy and envisioned the finished line.  But wait....out of my peripheral view, I saw someone trying to overtake my position.  With all that was left in my energy store, I dug even deeper...enough to cross the finish line in 1st place for my age division. 

The moral of the story is to dig deep when you don't see the finish line, dig deep when your legs want to take a pit stop, dig deep when you feel there's no more left, dig deep when you sense the adversary is trying to overtake you.  The adversary will always attempt to take you out.  God's Word says our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12 NAB).  We must see the finish line and believe that God will be the strength we need.  Remember, you're in it to win.