I signed up for a 5K that my company was hosting. I have done 5K’s in the past. However, this one was a little different. This time my 3 year old wanted to run the race with me. I knew this might be difficult, but look at all that energy. Surely, it would be fine. Little did I know how many spiritual lessons could be shared with this one experience.

At first, he was like a lot of us when we become Christians. He was excited, he wanted to “win”. He started out burning a lot of energy. Everyone was smiling and encouraging him. He was loving it. Then a little time goes by and it starts getting harder. He says he can’t run, he needs to walk. We slow the pace. People start passing us but still smiling and encouraging.

Occasionally, he would get a burst of energy and would take off again. He would then get tired and slow down. Then came an obstacle, part of the 5K was on a busy road and he knows that cars can be dangerous. He wanted to grab my hand, he knew it would be safer if he had my hand. He knew I would stand between him and any cars on the road. We made it past the dangers of the busy street, but after awhile, he became more tired and needed to be carried.

At the half way point, we were given some much needed water and encouragement! We seemed refreshed, ready to take off again. This time the energy didn’t last long, and things really slowed down. The body slowed down and the complaints came on strong, “I need more water”, “I need my dad”, “I don’t want to run” and finally, “I’m really tired”. I tried encouraging him with “Everything you want is at the finish line”. Isn’t that true for all of us?

We ended up having to call in back up (dad) at about the 4K mark. We didn’t quit, we just needed a little more help. We crossed the finish line. We got the water (and a snow cone). Everyone who finished before us, cheered and yelled as we crossed the finish line. They had just ran their own race, they knew the hills were tough but they also knew the finish line felt good. Oh to see that boy’s face when he “won” the race.

Doesn’t this paint a beautiful picture of our walk with Christ?

Thank you, Lord for showing me what a beautiful picture this is….

I started out so strong. I’m so excited. I want to run and shout and win. I’m running. I get tired. I see the dangers and I need you to hold my hand. I slow down. It’s hard. The harder I try, the more I need you. I need you to carry me. I’m so tired. I start to complain, I list off all of my needs. I need water, rest, my people, encouragement. You know that everything I need is at the finish line. I just need to keep going. You put people in our life to cheer, yell and encourage us. People that have been there, gone before us, know the pain and can encourage us. We need to keep running the race you have set before us. We need to rely on you. You will carry us. You will sustain us. Thank you, Lord.