Perseverance

Last Tuesday I went to see my son run a 3200m race (2 miles or 8 laps). I spoke with him before the race and he said not to expect much because he would be running against some varsity team members. I noticed his voice sounded funny and asked him about his breathing. He just shrugged his shoulders. The race began and he looked great in both form and pace. At the end of his 5th lap, he was clutching his side with a grimace of pain etched on his face. He kept running. His teammates were shouting advice and I was praying for the pain to subside. He kept running. One teammate passed him, but then he lapped another runner. He kept running. He finished the race placing 6 out of 8.

Later I asked why he thought there were problems. He confessed that he probably had not eaten enough that day, nor had enough water. It made me think about how we can start something with all good intentions, look really strong at the onset but weaken halfway through because of lack of preparation. It's not easy to finish in these situations, but credit must go to those who persevere against difficulties.

Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

I must say that although I wanted him to stop for him own comfort, I was ever so proud that he hung in and completed the race.