Determined

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

“Paint your own picture, Enola.” I had to pause my thoughts because this is not just about drawing with crayons on a blank paper. I didn’t hear it as it is. Like Sherlock Holmes and his sister work on detective duty, let’s deduce it, magnify it, track it down. What was Eudora Holmes telling her daughter to do?

I heard her say “Run your own race.” “Stay on your own lane.” Run the course that was designated for you. You have a specific purpose to accomplish. There is a particular goal to reach. We can’t look to the runners on each side of our shoulder. We don’t want to waste a millisecond and cause a second of delay. Every ticking time counts. Each stride is as important as the next. Each step is crucial to make it to the finish line on time.

It’s not the other gal’s success. It’s not how she made the win. It’s not her strength against yours. It’s not her status and her influence or what she possess. Her style may appear sophisticatedly skillful than yours and mine. But she had to do her best much like you do yours and I’ll do mine. Most often than not she is running her own race. She hopes to make it to the end, just like us.

“Let me give you some good advice; I’m looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight: Don’t be orney like a horse or a mule that needs bit and bridle to stay on track.” ( Psalm 32: 8-9 , The Message). My beautiful friends, I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be compared to a horse or a mule for my unfocused mind. You and I have incomparable beauty, and we are not to be likened to a horse just because we are so distracted with somebody else’s views.

On the other hand, may we follow King David’s sound advice. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize and run our track line. We are running a marathon and we ought to endure. To make it from point A to point B, we follow the straight shot. Up ahead is the finish line, if we don’t give up. Keep your eyes on the prize and run on your own pace. It’s not who gets there first. It’s how we get there, anyway.

Can you paint your own picture of how you win the race? Are your eyes set on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith? I discourage you from looking any further, there’s something that’s in your hands. Paint your own picture as your fix your eyes on the prize.