Gettin Real
The 800 Yard Dash
Would you believe that your Pastor was once a long runner??? Well, I was for a few races. You see, our little school didn’t even have a track team. We basically just showed up at the district track meet and the coach would choose some events for us to participate. On one occasion, I found that he had entered me in the 800 Yard Dash. I had never run the 800 Yard Dash, but I decided I would give it my all. We were set on the line, the starting gun fired, and we were off! I tried to stay with the pack on the first lap, (that’s what the coach instructed me to do). On the second lap I moved up toward the front of the pack and set in for another half lap. I had decided by this time I would round the last corner and push hard for the finish!
As that last corner approached, I realized I had a chance at winning this thing! I pushed a little harder and moved into fourth place. As I rounded the turn I pushed again and moved into third. First and second were within an arm’s reach, all I need to do was to push once again! Thant’s when I realized something. I didn’t have another push in me. I was done. There was no endurance. I placed third. I could have almost reached first with my hand, but it didn’t matter. I had nothing.
After the race, I realized that if I had just practiced. If I had been disciplined enough to run for even just a week or two before the meet, I might have been district champ in the 800 Yard Dash. I just needed a little endurance. Hebrews 3:1-17 shows us our example(Christ) and our need for spiritual endurance. So many times, we treat our spiritual lives just like I treated that race. I just showed up and tried to run. No practice, no plan, no idea of the race before me. I was left wanting. Hebrews 3:16-17 show us Esau and example of someone left wanting. I encourage you to not throw away opportunities, put in the work, run with endurance, the race that Christ has set before you.
God Bless,
Bro. Kyle
Would you believe that your Pastor was once a long runner??? Well, I was for a few races. You see, our little school didn’t even have a track team. We basically just showed up at the district track meet and the coach would choose some events for us to participate. On one occasion, I found that he had entered me in the 800 Yard Dash. I had never run the 800 Yard Dash, but I decided I would give it my all. We were set on the line, the starting gun fired, and we were off! I tried to stay with the pack on the first lap, (that’s what the coach instructed me to do). On the second lap I moved up toward the front of the pack and set in for another half lap. I had decided by this time I would round the last corner and push hard for the finish!
As that last corner approached, I realized I had a chance at winning this thing! I pushed a little harder and moved into fourth place. As I rounded the turn I pushed again and moved into third. First and second were within an arm’s reach, all I need to do was to push once again! Thant’s when I realized something. I didn’t have another push in me. I was done. There was no endurance. I placed third. I could have almost reached first with my hand, but it didn’t matter. I had nothing.
After the race, I realized that if I had just practiced. If I had been disciplined enough to run for even just a week or two before the meet, I might have been district champ in the 800 Yard Dash. I just needed a little endurance. Hebrews 3:1-17 shows us our example(Christ) and our need for spiritual endurance. So many times, we treat our spiritual lives just like I treated that race. I just showed up and tried to run. No practice, no plan, no idea of the race before me. I was left wanting. Hebrews 3:16-17 show us Esau and example of someone left wanting. I encourage you to not throw away opportunities, put in the work, run with endurance, the race that Christ has set before you.
God Bless,
Bro. Kyle