Race

Race

Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

I SAT QUIETLY at the giant conference table, soaking in the colorful chaos as my friends and fellow teammates talked, laughed, and caught up on life. We’d packed over twenty women into the night’s meeting, some of whom had driven multiple hours to get there. Young, old, married, single, widowed, different races, opposite political views, even different denominations were gathered around the table, bringing such a vast array of skill sets and experiences that oftentimes our differences outweigh our similarities.

Jesus is the glue to our sisterhood, and we cheerlead one another in our individual and collective faith races—no competition, no jealousy, no division allowed. And we watch as Jesus uses all of our individual strengths and skill sets to accomplish his work in ways that are far greater than the sum of our individual parts.

It is this team of talented, dedicated, faithful doers-of-good that I think of when I start to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or defeated. Because they are each actively serving God in official and unofficial capacities. In quiet, unassuming tasks and on bold, loud platforms, I witness how God uses each of us, perfectly.

My faith race is just that: mine. I run and stumble, falling and getting back up to run again at my own pace and on my own course, without worry about where I fall in the pack of other runners. This is not a competition. It is a collaborative, collective effort among women who love God with all of their hearts, souls, and minds and love their neighbors as themselves. We are unified in mission, even as the tasks God sets before us are different. God is the master weaver, and he weaves all of our efforts together in ways we may never see this side of heaven.

Do not be discouraged in your faith race. Keep moving forward. Keep showing up. And find a group of women who will race alongside you, cheering you on with wild abandon.

Lord, give us other faith racers to run alongside, that we might be encouraged and strengthened by running separately, together. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Encourage a woman you know who is stepping up for God in some way —big or small.