Run the Race Part 1: Delayed But Not Denied
Hi friends! Welcome back to the mastering peace blog, I hope that you have been doing well.
I've really enjoyed watching the Olympic games over the past few weeks. What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch? My favorites are always gymnastics, track and field, and basketball. I'm inspired by the years of practice, discipline, determination, and passion that goes in to this one chance to win gold. I have so much respect for the athleticism of these athletes. As I watched the final medal count and closing ceremony yesterday I couldn’t help but hear "run the race with endurance and finish strong" in my head. Over the next three weeks, we will focus on this thought in 3 different ways :
I am delayed but not denied
I can endure the race set before me
I have the discipline to see it through
So let's get started this week with I am delayed but not denied.
Just like athletes have to condition their minds and bodies to be able to compete at the highest level, we must condition ourselves to run the race that is set before us. I think it is so interesting that the Bible often references running a race or training as an athlete in the Olympics. The Olympic games started way before Christ was even on this earth around 776 BC. By the time Paul was writing to his churches, he used athletic training and discipline as metaphors in many of his teachings. Something that I kept praising God for during the Olympics was seeing so many athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete in the past get their moment. I kept thinking how they were delayed but not denied and believing that for my own life. Think about how this applies to your own life and the things that you have been believing God for this year. The goals that you have yet to accomplish and the opportunities that you missed in the past.
God has not forgotten about the goal, you are not overlooked, you are right where you are supposed to be, and God is coming right on time.
God has not forgotten about the goal, you are not overlooked, you are right where you are supposed to be, and God is coming right on time. Simone Biles missed gold medal opportunities due to mental health in 2021, but was vindicated with gold this year. Sha'Carri was disqualified last season but was redeemed in this season. Steph Curry was injured every Olympics prior to this year and was literally the MVP of the final game that brought them gold. Think about how athletes who had missed opportunities had to refocus themselves to return to the Olympics and perform so well that they placed gold, silver, or bronze. The mental focus to stay on track and to not give up every day was immense. The training that they put their body through every day so that when everything was on the line they could step up and muscle memory would take over. Many of them were interviewed after winning and had similar responses for what they were thinking in the moment. They knew that they had been putting in the work and they were confident that they technique would come forth during execution. This reminds me of the message that Paul wrote to the Philippian church.
"Not that I have already achieved perfection, but I FOCUS on this one thing. Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:13-14
Of course Paul is talking about winning a Kingdom race and not an earthly race. He is describing continuing to follow the Word of God while also overcoming the challenges that life faces every day. We each have our own communities that we impact with our lives and are called to show Christ by the way we move forward in the grace that comes from Him alone. No matter what has happened before, earlier this year, or yesterday. Use this as a reminder to forget the past and press forward towards to goal. Whatever your goal may be, As you go throughout this week remember that whatever you are trying to obtain may be delayed temporarily from your grasp, but that God is more than able to help bring it to you. And when it comes, it will be more than you could have hoped for or imagined. My prayer is that God flows through you and gives you the ability to achieve your goals for His glory. Whatever you accomplish will be proof to so many people around you that God is real, He is a redeemer, He rewards those who diligently seek Him and blesses those who don't give up. And once glory flows through your life, he will use you to shine His glory on everyone else's life so that they will live in the confident hope of reaching their goal too.
Tune in next week for part II of enduring the race set before me. If this blog blessed you reach out and let me know and share this with someone in your life that you think will be blessed too.
