At my high school (Panther Pride!) it took 4 and a half laps on the track to make a mile. Just so you know—I haven’t run a mile since … well… Okay, I don’t know if I’ve ever run an entire mile. It’s one of my upcoming goals (thanks to P.Karen).
I digress…
I was a bit of a contrarian back then (understatement on two levels there). So when the P.E. teachers were pushing us to run the straights and then walk the curves, I argued (shocking, right?). Why, if I can walk the entire thing just as fast, if not faster, than kids who were using the run/walk method, did I really need to run at all? I kept a steady pace and always finished within the time allotment for that little red patch that you got for meeting national physical fitness standards (The mile was not my problem - it was those stupid pull-ups. Ugg.).
But regardless of how you “ran” the race… a bunch of sprints followed by dragging steps with side-splitting pain, a brisk walking pace consistent the entire time, a nice jog all the way around… the goal was the same - finish the race. And regardless of your pain or non-pain level, there was nothing like coming around that last curve and seeing Mr. Knight, clipboard in hand, and knowing the end was near. Suddenly it all seemed easier, and this ridiculous energy burst allowed you to speed up towards that finish line.
For our fast, we’ve started to round the last corner. You may be struggling right now, or maybe you’re in a sweet spot. But regardless, take the burst of influence from the Holy Spirit and finish well.
