Last weekend (Friday and Saturday), we went camping with my mom and sister near Big Rapids. This was the second time we were there when they had their annual triathlon. We couldn’t have missed it if we wanted to, because our tent was next to the transition area from swimming to biking. As the people gathered for the beginning of the race, there was a buzz of excitement in the air. Family members stood ready to cheer on the racers. The racers awaited the moment they had trained for … the beginning of the race. The excitement and cheers continued until the last competitor finished the race. While I had no intention of watching the race, the excitement of the competition drew me in.
Far too often, in the race of life, we lose that sense of excitement and enthusiasm. Sometimes we are overcome by the “tyranny of the urgent” - the many things that have to get done immediately leave us overwhelmed. Other times, we may get caught in a rut; we just keep doing things, or doing things the same way, and lose any sense of anticipation in life. If we’re not careful, we will find ourselves running in circles, but going nowhere. That kind of life is drained and defeated, not victorious.
While the mundane things need to get done (it’s often part of being a good steward), we cannot thrive when our lives are dominated by meaningless monotony. Jesus didn’t come to give us life that is boring, but “life to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV) Christians, of all people, should be excited and enthusiastic! We serve a living Savior, who died that we might live, and rose again that we might live forever and enjoy an indestructible inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5).
If we will just open our spiritual eyes and look to see where God is at work, we will have reason to be excited. That excitement is energizing and contagious. Good coaches understand this, and give their athletes a pep talk before hitting the field, court, or track. So, this is my pep talk: God is at work, we just need to open our eyes to it and get excited about it. The race of life isn’t meant to be a drudgery, but an exciting adventure with God. Remember, “...he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) So, keep “running” with a contagious excitement for what God is doing … you never know what might be around the next corner.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
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