Have you ever participated on a marathon or fun
run?
I remember my experience on one legit fun run here
in UAE. It was the Color Run held last 2014. It was really “FUN”. I did not
notice that I ran for 5 kilometers. Did I prepare anything for this? I have to
wake up a little bit early, since we have to travel a little bit to reach the
venue. At the end of the race, I enjoyed it since I have to run together with
some friends and family.
For professional athletes, especially if they are
participating in a 10 kilometer run or a triathlon, they have to really train
and prepare in advance to condition their bodies. They will undergo rigid
training in order for their bodies to be fit and in good, perfect condition for
the race.
Lately, there have been many things that I am
thinking that makes me rethink and slowdown in the race that I am currently
running in. There were many times that I have to momentarily stop and think if
I am still on the right track, or if I am still running this race with the
right purpose in mind and the right attitude. I kept on asking these questions
over and over again, until I came to a point to ask Him this directly. Then God
gave me this answer:
No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained
by it.
Hebrews
12:11 NIV
The race I’m currently into right now is quite
difficult. I’ve been used to on a fix schedule at work and was able to squeeze
in some time to have fellowships and meetings after my 8 AM to 6PM job. But
here comes the testing, I was asked to do a 3PM to 1AM schedule. Imagine the
adjustments I have to make from my usual routine every day.
As I approach the finish line, I learned a lot of
things that helped me in different areas.
- The discipline
Upon hearing that I have to do a different shift for a week, it made me
a little bit furious and don’t mind it and push on working at my comfortable
schedule. Rather than pushing what I want, I have obeyed what my managers asked
me to do, even at first it’s hard.
Thus,
a disciple was developed, the discipline of depending on Him, whether in times
of need or in times of hardships.
fixing
our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before
him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God.
Hebrews
12:1
2. The harvest
Towards
the end of my PM shifts, I have realized a lot of things. He gave me the peace
to understand the situation. There is peace when I surrendered my situation to God. I experienced trials to strengthen my character
and to check the foundations I have. Instead of complaining about the
circumstances, I asked God what is He trying to teach me this time. The more
that I depend on Him, the more I feel that I am secured and I can surpass all
the challenges in life because He is the source of my strength.
I
can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians
4:13
This is what He had given me. The race I’m on is
not easy, and hurdles will come along the way. The finish line on this current
season is there, but it takes a great amount if effort and discipline to get
there. Every day is a choice to fight
the battles or flee somewhere else. I would choose to fight, run and endure this
race because I know that at the finish line, I will have a reward, an eternal
reward from the One who keeps me running.
No matter what life throws at you, as long as you
have anchored your life in Christ, you will have the strength to carry on the
challenges because God’s power is working in us (Ephesians 3:20), and He can do
great things, beyond what we could imagine.
