You know that feeling at the start of something new? Something big? The feelings of excitement, expectation, and hope mixed together with a bit of anxiety and a perhaps even fear. Your mind cannot help but paint the picture of what could be and what should be.
I see this in running. I love running and I have ran in several races. In each of these races, there is always this moment at the starting line when these feelings flood my mind. Even though I have trained long and hard for months for the race, that moment in the cold dark morning with the crowds of people waiting to cross the starting line always seems to move me to ask questions like, “What if I am just having a bad day today?” What if I can’t do the full distance today?” Or, “what if I feel so good that I do it even faster than I anticipate?” “What if this is the best race I have ever been in?” These questions lead to feeling of butterflies in my stomach until at last the race begins. Its funny how so many of those questions seem to be left behind in the first mile.
Well as a church, this is that moment for us. In a few short days, we will cross our starting line and we will begin our leg of the race. I already love our church, and as we launch I wanted to remind myself of three things.
1. We are not racing alone.
Thankfully, Stone Oak Bible Church is not the grand point of all of this, and we are not running alone. This is more like the moment in time when we are being handed our relay-baton. Our leg of the race is beginning, and I want to run it well to progress the gospel in our community.
2. We are racing with purpose.
Paul says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (ESV) We have a purpose set in front of us that is worth everything. It is worth the all of the difficult training miles. It is worth the sore legs. It is worth it. We run with a purpose.
3. Let’s enjoy our run.
For those who have not yet seen the light and do not enjoy running, I will pray for you… joking, but you might not believe this, but running is meant to be enjoyed. In my opinion, there is little that compares to a great long run. There may be difficult miles along the way. We might be stretched, and a bit tired through parts, but running is meant to be enjoyed. Let’s find joy in the race, and race well!