Struggling through my first cross country practice as a middle schooler, I wanted to quit! The workout was intense, leaving me sore. When I told my brother I didn’t intend to go back, he told me I had to push through the pain.

Dreading the daily practices, I continued to show up. I lined up at the start of my first race, wondering how I was going to finish. When the gun was fired, I took off. One by one, other competitors passed me up. Nearly last, I finished 105th place. Embarrassed, I didn’t want to remain on the team. 

My muscles burned, begging me to call it quits. Again, my brother reminded me to persevere through the discomfort. Continuing with daily workouts, I began building stamina and strength. The second race came and went, and my time improved by over a minute. Approaching the third race with more confidence, I packed in along the starting line with my teammates. I anticipated the green light as I questioned why I was even signed up to do this. 

The start gun popped, and I took off in stride. One by one, I moved ahead, passing other competitors. Steady and focused, I ran a race for myself. Pushing past the discomfort, using the strength I had worked hard to obtain, I moved to the front of the pack. I raced to a record-breaking finish. I changed my pace and mindset, running a different race. 

When faced with pain and unpleasant circumstances, I didn’t throw in the towel; I persevered through it. Listening to my brother who was rooting for me, encouraging me to run a race for myself, not for others, I found the confidence to put my best foot forward. 

When sitting with those who sit at the feet of Jesus, the conversations are different. I walk away feeling inspired, not inferior, because those are the people who know that the Christian walk is a race but not a competition. Take every day in stride. When you feel like you’re in last place, keep moving, pushing through the pain. When we run the race that God planned for our life, we no longer look around at every other runner in the race but stay focused on the race set before us. 

Acts 20:24 says, “My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” Whatever task you feel called to in the race of life, do it with your eyes fixed on Jesus. He can do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine. When I changed my mindset and attitude, I held five of the top ten school records in cross country from barely finishing the first race. Push through your temporary circumstances. Victory in Christ is waiting. 

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” 

Hebrews 12: 1-2.  

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

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Tippecanoe Gazette

Attn: Ashley Spring McCarroll

PO Box 84

Tipp City, Ohio 45371