I have never run an actual race in my lifetime, but I have watched others run and prepare to do so, most notably our daughter who didn’t start running until she was 40. Little by little she trained to run, first a 5K and then moving up from there until she conquered a half marathon and the Army 10 Miler. As a homeschooling mother of four, it was no small feat that began when she started her oldest child learning to run a mile and ran with him.

 

Training in the wee hours of the morning gave evidence to her discipline to reach goals she had set for herself. For a season she was blessed to train with several other women and gain encouragement and companionship from them, but one thing became clear: she would need to run her race and it would not look quite the same as anyone else’s.

 

Whatever she learned from others in her quest, she needed to choose what worked for her. Looking at what others did or did not do could point to options, but her legs, heart, and lungs would run her race and what worked for her would be what she would choose.

 

Each of us is running a race in this life. It is tempting to look at others running the race and try to emulate what they are doing if they are faster or better than we seem to be. (Comparing ourselves to others is a human malady none of us escape completely even though the consequences tend not to be beneficial.)

 

The problem with focusing on the races of others are that their races are not our race. Each of us has a race that is laid out before us to run, designed for us alone. That is the only one we can run, It is the one we must run.

 

Some will look at us and think we cannot possibly run the race. We may appear to be too fast or too slow or lack the stamina to persevere to the race’s end.

 

There will be days you do not believe you can run the race, but it will not be your skills that see you through. It will be who you are. It will be your character that makes the difference.

 

In the powerful movie, Secretariat, we see the portrayal of not only the legendary racehorse, but of his owner and champion, Penny. The movie includes a song that plays during the credits written by A.J. Michalka entitled “It’s Who You Are.” Most of you who have seen the movie may never have stayed through the credits or noticed the lyrics, but they speak volumes for the race each of us is running:

 

“It’s not the price

It’s not the game

It’s not the score

It’s not the fame

Whatever road looks way too far

It’s not what you have

It’s who you are

 

It’s not how fast

It’s not how far

It’s not of cheers

It’s who you are

 

In darkest night

You make your sun

You choose your race

And then you run

 

It’s never the glory

It’s never the score

It’s not about seeing about who’s less and who’s more

Cuz when you find out how fast and how far

You’ll know it’s not how much you have

It’s who you are

 

You lose the moon

Then be a star

It’s not too soon

Be who you are

Whatever road looks way too far

It’s not what you have

It’s who you are

 

It’s never the glory

It’s never the score

It’s not seeing about seeing

Who’s less and who’s more

Cuz when you find out how fast and how far

You’ll know it’s not how much you have

It’s who you are

 

When you have found

How fast you can run

When you have found

Your place in the sun,

It won’t be just you that you’ll find

Has made the run and the climb

It’s everyone

 

It’s never the glory

It’s never the score

It’s not seeing about seeing

Who’s less and who’s more

Cuz when you find out how fast and how far

you’ll know it’s not how much you have

It’s who you are

It’s who you are

 

Learning to bend and not to break

Living to give more than you take

Dying to live

Living to try

Feet on the ground

Dreams in the sky

 

It’s never how much you have

It’s who you are”

 

 

Scripture makes clear the value and importance of the race. Paul loved to use the metaphor of a race to describe our spiritual course. He speaks of it often:

 

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (ESV)

 

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)

 

 You may be thinking that you are no one special, but that would be untrue.

 

You are the daughter or son of a King, betrothed to a Bridegroom beyond comparison. You are destined to rule and reign with Him and it is He that has set the course of the race before you. It is He and His character that will see you through and accompany you on the course.

 

The writer in Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) gives you what you need to know:

 

 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”