Run the Race

My son had a goal this year. He wanted to earn a varsity letter in cross country. He began running in June 2016 with the team. Every morning they were running by 6 a.m. and he ran every meet through the fall. He improved enough to get the last spot on the team headed to the state championship race. At the end of that season, he kept running and joined the track and field team to stay in shape. In June 2017, the 6 a.m. runs began again. By fall, he was getting a personal record in almost every 5K he ran. He was 3rd in the Regional JV race and again got to go to the state championship. From his first 5K to his most recent regional 5K, he has improved by about 3 minutes. His current personal record is 18 min, 22 sec.  That's a 5:55 min mile for 3.1 miles! 

On Tuesday, he received his varsity letter. He also received a patch for state and for Athlete Scholar because of his unweighted 3.95 GPA in High School. I'm just amazed at what he has been able to accomplish because of his unwavering focus to reach his goal.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are to run the race that is set before us. Do you ever ask yourself what your race is and if you are running it with endurance, i.e. everything you've got? I do.