Praycation - DAY EIGHT

The 2012 Olympics have dominated the hearts and minds of the world for almost two weeks in London. We’ve cheered Gabby Douglass as she won her gold medals and Usain Bolt as he won his in the 100 meters race as the fastest man on earth.

Top athletes have gathered from all over the world after years of training. Angst and anxiety run high as each one approaches their race, game or apparatus.

In track and field, the marathon is a test of endurance and stamina. Hundreds start out on a challenging terrain but only one will cross the finish line first. The 100 meters race is a challenge of speed and power that is over as soon as it starts. Fractions of seconds separate the runners. There is little room for error. There are no second chances.

The writer of Hebrews suggests that we run with patience. We often think of patience as having the capacity to endure without complaint. We view patience as standing still or holding on while keeping the goal line in sight. Patience is tolerating a temporary inconvenience while God is preparing the future. Patience and running do not seem like they should be in the same sentence.

A patience that runs is the ability to keep going after a setback. A patience that runs is one that continues working even when the heart is heavy and the mind is perplexed. A patience that runs is one that is exercised on the field of daily life and not behind closed doors.

The writer of this epistle is encouraging us to run and run with patience. John Baxter Taylor ran with patience at the 1908 Olympics in England. He had two chances at a gold medal. His 400-meter race was beset with controversy and the Americans boycotted the rerunning of the race. Disappointed at missing out on this once-every-four-year event he ran successfully his leg of the 1600-meter relay and won a gold medal with his other American teammates.

Taylor was the first African American to win a gold medal. Run with patience today.

“…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Hebrew 12:1

“It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!”
The Message Bible

Let us pray:

Lord, keep me at it! In Jesus name, amen.

It’s Praycation Time!

Remember to practice the steps of Praycation even if you are going on a last minute summer vacation or getting ready for a new school year. The steps are: Silence, Solitude, Submission, Service and Selah. The details are in the archives for August 1, 2012.

Lord, keep me at it!

VMM