{racing that thing} now.

I tried to outrun a kid on a bike.

Granted, I was in the 4th or 5th grade, but I did. 

I had new shoes (white with red stripes), 

and the kid on the corner with his fancy bike was just asking to lose. 

So I dared him. 

I would run on the grass median between the sidewalk and the street 

and he would ride on the sidewalk.

It was a perfect plan.

Except for the trees that dotted the grass medians 
that I was going to run on.

And except for the fact that Tommy pedaled like his feet were on fire. 

There was a moment when I needed to avoid a tree

and ducked into the sidewalk to bypass it.

I thought Tommy was eating my dust and was nowhere near me.

Umm. Yeah. I was wrong.

We ended up on the sidewalk in a heap.

And I still have the scar on my forty-one year old knee to prove it. 

No matter how fancy your shoes are,

you can't outrun a bicycle.

Especially if the kid who lives in the house on the corner's 
the one behind the handlebars.

So...

You know that thing?

That thing that sits in the corner each day 

taunting you from the shadows? 

That thing you dare to race?

That thing you've lost to? 

For some reason, you just can't outrun it...

on your own.

No matter how fancy and stripey your shoes,

no matter how strong your willpower,

you just can't seem to win.

Don't dare it to race 

on your own.

Instead, take off those fancy shoes 

And start the race on your knees.

Give that thing that chases you...

that haunts you...

to Jesus. 

Ask for His strength.

His outlook.

His future. 

Seek Him with all you've got.

And then lace up your shoes.

And run

With Christ.

Will you need to bypass an obstacle?

Sure. Count on it.

When you do, keep your eyes on Jesus.

He'll show you safe passage.

With Jesus, there is freedom.
And hope. And mercy.
And victory over that thing that's chasing you.
With Jesus.

And that scar that you wear from the races you've lost?

That's okay.

God just might use it someday 

to help someone else

run their race.


let Paul cheer you on a little bit:
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.  ~Ephesians 3:12-16

Many blessings,

Deni