I’m a little slow… as in slow-motion
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
~ Charles Spurgeon ~
“Puff. Puff. Puff. Slap. Slap. Slap.” The sound of my running. In slow motion. Every race was the same. I came in near, or at the bottom. Last place- yep, that was my special spot. I ran “Cross Country” all three years of high-school. *Go Rockets!* And, I was awful. 3.1 miles of SLOOOOOW. Let’s just say I didn’t uphold our team name of “JG Rockets”.
Training was rough. Somedays we ran timed runs, as far as you can in 45 minutes. (Or, until you puke… I suppose.. not very pleasant to talk about.) Somedays we sprinted laps on the track. Fine- except for one thing. Cross Country season coincided with football season. That meant we literally ran circles around the football players. Which is where I earned the nick-name. “Slow-mo.” (Not exactly how a teenaged girl wants to be noticed by the football team!) Apparently, it looked like I was running in slow-motion. I was that bad.
At the end of the season in my senior year- we had our “Banquet.”
A fine tradition that includes typically shorts clad, sweaty team-mates wearing “dress clothes” and receiving awards before their assembled families and friends. I loved my team- so I went, but being the slowest member on the team- I wasn’t looking forward to any awards.
I was shocked when, near the end of the night, our coach started talking about the most improved runner. “She works hard and finishes her races- that’s what matters” I was shocked when he called my name. I blushed- (I didn’t even know Italian girls COULD blush) and I went forward- to accept my award. I couldn’t believe it. Sure- I knew I wasn’t always dead last anymore- but most improved? My coach admired my perseverance. I was stunned. My team mates clapped. I still have my Varsity letter- and nearly every “Number” I wore in a race. Sadly my times are written on the backs- not exactly impressive;) Although- I mostly wear running shoes at the grocery store, now.
There are days- as a Christian, where I feel like I have the same nick-name. “Slow-mo.” Some days I feel like everyone else runs the race of Christianity faster, better, more gracefully. I feel like I’m just… plain… slow. I don’t “get” things that others seem to easily understand. My life doesn’t always line up with what God desires. Other people’s families and ministries seem so much more honoring to God. On those days, I feel like a snail in the race of Christianity. Not like I’m racing against others- but that we’re on the same team… and I’m so much slower.
Then, I remember, Cross country. Finishing the race is what matters.
The bible says that God- “knows we are dust” and “sympathizes” with our weaknesses. He knows I’m slow-weak. And, best of all? He loves me anyways.
At the end of this life- I imagine that Jesus will be there to catch me as I fall across the finish line. Maybe I’ll be the slowest runner ever- but He’ll be there- cheering for me. Because I finished the race. By perseverance- this snail will reach the ark of His presence. I hope you’ll run along with me. I’ll be cheering for you, too! As is He, and ready to catch you when your fall- or cross the finish line!
Acts 20:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Dear Jesus- life is hard- sometimes it feels like running uphill- all the time… sometimes it feels like I’m stumbling downhill- almost falling beause I can’t keep up with my feet- but- Lord- mostly I just feel slow. I don’t understand so much there is to know about you, I don’t live in a way that wins races or you… I am slow. Help me keep running Jesus- straight into your arms. Jesus- Help me cheer on others who feel slow. When I cross that finish line Lord- I hope I hear YOU say I finshed my race and that’s what mattered. I love you Lord- amen.
For more takes on todays CWO “In Other Words” Quote- Please visit Iris’s blog at “Sting my Heart”
Finishing the race is what is important. So true. Thank you for an awesome illustration of what God wants us to be.
A great big amen to this.
I love your take on this week’s quote. I always tell my Sunday school class, the glory isn’t in the starting it’s in the finishing.
God bless
Just wanted to thank you for a post I can wholly relate to!
Gosh! What a great post! This is encouragement to me. Persevere, don’t quit, don’t give up, keep going, I AM making a difference even if I don’t see it. I just love coming here everyday, and I make this the first page I visit.
Thanks for the encouragement! I heard Allistair Begg share this morning that Martin Lloyd Jones would encourage others with these two words…”Keep On”
So encouraging! I love it!
Yes, i can surely identify with the slowness thing lately. I feel like I have been walking through knee deep sand. But I will keep walking.
I will win the race.
Wonderful Tracey.
Being a slow runner who never even bothered to persevere I admire you. What a great illustration of this.
Tracey,
I love this……..Help me keep running Jesus- straight into your arms……
Amen, Sister, Amen… Thank you.
I love the picture of Jesus waiting at the finish line to catch us as we fall across the finish line! I am so thankful that He knows me like no one else.
“Some days I feel like everyone else runs the race of Christianity faster, better, more gracefully.” “Not like I’m racing against others – but that we’re on the same team…and I’m so much slower.”
This brought tears to my eyes as it so described the way I often feel. Even though I know that we are not all called to run at the same speed or in the same way, my nature (insecurities) often wants to compare.
Thanks, this was a blessing to me.
great thoughts! especially as an x-runner myself!
Some might be slow, some might run faster than either one of us. But what truly matters is that you finish the race 🙂 . Believe sometimes I have to read a Scripture passage a gazillion times to ‘get it’…But eventually He will open my eyes and heart to it.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this week’s IOW quote.
Blessings to you and yours.
The most powerful writing is that to which many people can relate and your post resonates with me . . . and lots of other folks. We’ve all been last in one race or another. But so long as we get to the finish line eventually . . .that’s what counts.
Beautifully put and very brave!