The Amazing Race

I'm usually not a Reality TV kind of girl. The hype and drama are just too much for me and the reality is less than real. There is one exception, a show which features an amazing race.

In case you haven't seen the show, the contestants work in teams and go through a series of challenges while traveling all over the world. The goal of each leg of the race is to be the first team to arrive at the pit stop. The ultimate goal is to be the first team at the final destination. The prize? A million dollars!

The race features challenges called road blocks. Most of the tasks involve physical and mental endurance. Many of them involve less than appetizing food.

I don't know about you, but I've faced some challenges in my life. Some have felt like road blocks. I've never had to eat an ostrich egg or a plate of squid, but life has thrown challenges at me which were difficult to endure. Perseverance and endurance are not my strengths. (I'll be honest here. P.E. brought down my GPA.)

As a believer in Christ, I know the One who gives me strength.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 3: 14

The spiritual walk is a race, but not one where there is just one winner. At the end of this race, every person who has accepted Jesus will win the ultimate prize- eternal life with Him.

Our endurance does not come from will power or sports drinks. It comes from Christ alone. As the author and finisher of my faith, He picks me up off the pavement when I want to give up.

"...And let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12: 1-2

There is a challenger out there- Satan. He creeps around like a contestant with the worst sportsmanship, trying to trip us up. His prize is our discouragement, our pain, our unbelief. Satan loves it when we want to quit but he can never win.

Keep racing toward the finish line, believer. Keep your eyes on the cross. Keep your focus on the miracle of His resurrection.

Keep the faith in this race and don't quit! Christ has already won the victory!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to let me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4: 7-8

Reflection:

1. Consider your time in God's Word as your pit stop. Refuel and Recharge.

2. Do you feel like you're running this marathon alone? Partner with another believer. Encourage one another.


Running the race with you,

Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."