In high school I ran cross country. The object in any race was to stay on the course and finish the race. We would train and prepare ourselves for various aspects of the race. Pace and obstacles were of high importance. We would familiarize ourselves with the course and rehearse in our minds our attack plan our coach had preached all week. We knew when we would attack hills, sprint in key areas of the course, relax while maintaining a race pace, be aware as the terrain changed back and forth, close in on the opposing teams, and of course finish strong. We were focused. Disciplined. Intense. Serious.
I recall one race when two of our competitors were arguing and fighting for position on a tight trail in the woods. They stopped running and starting fighting and were disqualified. They were unable to finish the race.
On a seperate occasion, one runner's leg was punctured by another guy's spike from his shoe. He finished the race despite being in immense pain.
You may recall the 1992 Olympics in which Derrick Redmond was injured a little more than a quarter of the way through the race. He grimaced in pain on the track, but got up and starting limping and hobbling to the finish line. As he did, his father ran onto the track, grabbed his child and finished the race with him. His father was his strength and support.
In this race called life, we have a course to run. Sometimes, we fall down, get derailed, get caught up with ancillary things, or just quit. When we do, we have another choice; quit, try to run the race ourselves, or let the Father pick us up and carry us to the end.
I got derailed. I chose sin and fell. I am so glad I have a heavenly Father that forgives, heals, and restores. I am going to continue to run my race and lean solely on The Lord. I have no strength on my own. I am relying totally on Him. I know I can still hear the words- Well done, you good and faithful servant! And- to have a wife that immediately forgave me and loves me is absolutely amazing. I love her so much. She is my picture of grace and forgiveness. I love her. She is my hero!
As I sit here there are many thoughts going though my head but the one that sings the loudest: I am FORGIVEN! thank God I am FORGIVEN! I am a child of the King! Thank God I am FORGIVEN! I love ya brother and very proud of you. You are an inspiration to me not to let a decision define me rather let the Lord through His grace define me as FORGIVEN! My prayer is I hope your testimony will give many others hope and strength to make it through the tough times and bad decisions.
ReplyDeleteThe measure of a person is not by how many times you get knocked down but rather by how many times you get back up. Mark is says a lot that although knocked down you didn't stay down and provided others with hope and a reference point to getting back up and finishing the race that's set before us.
ReplyDeleteproud of you mark. what you said about there being decisions after decisions is so true. the decision you have made to get up and run again is an encouragement to me.
ReplyDelete-jeremiah