When I was younger I participated in 'Little Athletics'... To this day I have no idea why! I was terrible at sport and I am quiet possibly the most uncoordinated person on the planet, never-the-less I would rock up to the local sporting field on a Sunday afternoon and try my best.
I remember the first time I saw a hurdle; a strange contraption designed to stand in a runners way and slow them down forcing the runner to leap. To add to the frustration these hurdles did not come singular but with friends, they would line up evenly spaced along the track. I remember the first time I saw a hurdle; it was daunting.
I also remember what it was like as I made my first attempt at jumping over one of these evil barriers... it was embarrassing. The gun went off and I left the starting line like a gazelle ready to prance down my lane, but before to long I felt more like a cow or a sloth. I hit the first hurdle and knocked it down with a thud... and the next... and the next... and the next... I knocked every single hurdle down. I can remember looking over to the sideline and seeing the onlookers snicker. Every other runner seemed to jump with ease, but not me.
Despite the embarrassment and shame, I have never been one to back away from a challenge. I wasn't going to give up after the first hurdle nor the next. I was going to make it to the finish line.
Acts 20:23-24 says "I know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
& Philippians 3:13-14 says "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
As Christians we face hurdles of many kinds. Maybe you are so tired from school and study you have no energy left to read your bible or pray. Maybe your family is not Christian and doesn't understand the choice you made to become one. Maybe you do some things that deep down you know you shouldn't. Maybe your friends want to do things that aren't quiet 'right' and it's hard not to join in... But we keep running. We always keep running & when there are hurdles, we jump them. Sometimes we make it over with ease and sometimes we fail and bruise our shins, but no matter what we keep running. Proverbs 24:16 says "for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.".
So I urge you... Run & Run & Run & Jump.
Peace & Favour,
Ps. Lewie