Keep running...

14 I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. 15 So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! 16 Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Phil 3:14-16 MSG

Trials, regret of past actions taken, fear and doubt of the unknown, even remorse of a confessed sin can all become a mindset that can bring hurdles into our running lane in life. We all encounter them, it’s part of being human. It’s what we do when we are confronted with the hurdle or thought that matters. 

Interesting fact about a hurdle race: As part of a (100 meter hurdle) racing event, ten hurdles of 1.067 metres (3.5 ft or 42 inches) in height are evenly spaced along a straight course of 110 metres. They are positioned so that they will fall over if bumped into by the runner. Fallen hurdles do not carry a fixed time penalty for the runners, but they have a significant pull-over weight which slows down the run.

It must take hours and hours of training to learn how to jump high enough while running to leap the hurdles and not be distracted by one that falls.

The critical thing to note is it’s how one places at the finish line that counts not how many hurdles were knocked down.The knocked down hurdle may slow the runner down a bit but it does not stop them. They accept it as part of the race.

When a hurdler gets up to the starting line, looks down the track before them and DOESN’T see hurdles something is wrong. The hurdles are expected. They are a necessary part of their race.

It is through problems and trials and even our failures that we learn to rely on God more which is where we need to be, closer to our Creator, our Savior and our Friend. Receive the forgiveness that Christ died for you to have! Get up, brush yourself off and resume running.

The life of a follower of Christ is a constant training field. When we decide to get in the race we must trust the Coach to teach us how to run, leap and not stop. He will teach us how to embrace the path we’re on whether it is wide open or cluttered with obstacles to overcome.

8 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 9 Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Phil 4:8-9 MSG

Dear Lord, help us to rely on You more. Help us to trust that You know the race You called us to and You can teach us how to make it to the finish line victoriously. Help us to think with Your thoughts and give us the courage to keep running. We put our trust in You and choose to run the race that you have set before us.

Dawn Harper-Nelson from East St. Louis, Illinois is an American track and field athlete who specializes in the 100-meter hurdles. She was the gold medalist in the event at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the silver medalist in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Dawn Harper is the first American 100-meter hurdler to ever win gold at an Olympics and medal in the following Olympics.