RUNNING THE RACE – Part 3
Oct 12 in Running the Race
There is a hidden tribe in Mexico called the Tarahumara Indians, who are considered the world’s greatest ultra-distance runners. They compete in their own unique running race called rarajipari which is fast-paced, ran barefoot and can last anything between 24 and 48 hours. ‘They call it the game of life. “You never know how hard it will be. You never know when it will end. You can’t control it. You can only adjust … and no one gets through it on their own.” In order to endure you need to possess all the Tarahumara virtues – strength, patience, cooperation, dedication and persistence … and love to run.’ C. McDougall.
In today’s society individuality, self-assertiveness, independence, taking care of ‘one-self’ – putting yourself and your own profit first – has become much of the focus. As a result, we rob ourselves from what we can give and receive from one another, the value of TEAM. As the African proverb says ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ for ‘as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another’.
Pursuing a vision will produce a reaction in others. These can be shouts or whispers – both can be damaging. Consider: WHO am I running with? What are the voices speaking over and into my life? What is their influence? What is the motivation behind what they say? There are relationships that will hinder our race and keep us from ‘becoming’ the best version of ourselves. David would never have defeated Goliath had he listened to his brother’s jealous anger; he would have forfeited his destiny (1 Samuel 17:28).
We need people who we know we can trust, who love and believe in us and who will encourage us to rise up to a higher level; who will give valuable and honest feedback and to whom we can be held accountable.
‘Personal greatness is never achieved alone … is always the sum total of the hard work and deep commitment of an untold number of people’.
Setting the pace. In the summer of 2017, I was invited to visit and watch the London Paralympics for the first time. The blind athlete’s race made such a strong and lasting impression on me. They have what is called ‘the buddy system’ as blind runners are joined together by a rubber band to their ‘seeing partner’. The buddy then sets the pace as the blind runner has to lean and trust entirely on the other around the track; both running together as one. Such a vivid illustration of how we – who are limited in our vision as to what lay ahead for us on this race called life – have a God who does see the track ahead, and has a higher and wider perspective, who knows the way and who leads and directs us as we learn to lean and trust entirely upon Him. Reaching the place where we come to move with Him as One; running to the beating rhythm of His heart (John 17).
What is my motivation for running the race? Motives are important as they will determine the type of race I run and how I will treat others along the way. For Jesus the race led Him to the cross. His motivation: the joy of seeing us reunited into a loving relationship with the Father. He was an ‘exact representation of God’s nature‘, every step a declaration of truth and love; the radiance of the Father’s heart.
Finally, mental toughness. The last stretch of the race tests every part as physical and mental fatigue sets in. If we have done the training, the physical will be programmed enough to carry us through to the end, ‘when one has laid a foundation one has every right to expect a result’ however the mental ability to stay focused and keep going is now the danger area. During the course of the race we reach incredible highs which are then followed by intense lows. These, like a tsunami, can hit suddenly, out of nowhere, without warning and literally sweep us off our feet as a cascade of emotions flood our mind and senses. All shouting in unison: ‘NO MORE!’ Here is where mental toughness comes in, where contrary to every argument we set our mind to the goal and run to the finishing line!
‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’