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The Devotional Diva - The Amazing Race
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The Devotional Diva - The Amazing Race
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)
Have you ever watched the television show, The Amazing Race? Although it’s been a few seasons, I have indulged on several occasions.
If you are unfamiliar with this particular reality show – here’s a recap of the series. You play in teams of two. Each team follows a series of clues and instructions, which moves them from one location to another. This involves traveling to different cities and even countries. The race contains multiple legs - one leg per show.
The object is simple. Be first on the finish mat at the end of each show. The last team arriving at the mat goes home. Interestingly enough, a team can finish first on one day and then finish third or fourth on the next. Those who remain until the last leg of the race, compete to be first once again thus winning the first place title and one million dollars.
Now during the race life happens. People get hurt. They have flat tires or get lost in traffic. Obstacles occur that require quick thinking. Challenges are offered, often unpleasant. They can move you on or slow you now depending on how you face the challenge. Each team inevitably faces a moment of how do we overcome this or do we quit now and go home? Is one million dollars worth it?
The parallels we could draw from this are astounding. For today, I offer a few personal observations to capture meaning for us during this moment in history.
While the Amazing Race is designed for ratings, the real life race is designed for relationships. The most important being our relationship to God. He is the One who has set the race before us. However, the object is not to arrive at the finish line first, but simply to arrive!
For the believer to finish the race, in any order, is to win! Our instructions are simply to lay aside the stuff that weighs us down and run with endurance. There is observation number one.
Endurance is the key component to running any race. Okay, I am not an expert at racing, but I am smart enough to know that if you don’t pace yourself, you burn out before the finish line.
Endurance also carries you through the time of trials and obstacles. Without endurance, how will you make it through the tough days? Will you remain determined to overcome or become inclined to quit? Is a life in Christ worth it? AH- YEAH!
Remember who sets your race! Every morning I get up life gets a bit more complicated. I must admit, some days it slows me down a bit. On a tougher day, I might even take two steps back. Nevertheless, I am determined to endure in this race. If God set it before me, He’ll see me through to the end.
Here’s another observation. Unlike the Amazing Race, I can only run my own race. You can’t run for me and I can’t run for you. We are each responsible for our own race. This is because I am not racing against you! I truly am not racing against anything but for the goal – which is Christ.
Now that doesn’t mean I run alone. Look closely at the first part of Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us” I believe God never intended for us to run alone.
Who is in your corner cheering you on to the finish? I bet you can think of a few and I hope I am counted among those numbers. Oh, on the days where it seems everyone is caught up in his or her own race and no cheers are offered, remember you have the Holy Spirit spurring you on to victory. Never underestimate the abiding power of God.
One last observation: a downside to the Amazing Race, in my opinion, is that everyone is trying so hard to get where he/she is going, no one has time to enjoy where they’ve been. Personally, I’d want to sightsee or go to the zoo. What a waste to rush through some of the exotic locations they visit!
Face it; we are living in some very provoking times. I have moments of waiting to rush right through this leg of the journey and get on to something else. Yet, I believe there is joy in every journey. What or who do I pass by when I rush through the day or wish it away? What did God desire for me to discover and I missed it?
Just like the Amazing Race, the real life race oozes opportunity. It brings its own kind of wonders – like the cool breeze and a chat with a neighbor, or dinner with a friend. It contains mysteries to solve, although mine for the day is what to fix for dinner. Bottom line, life is good. This is the day that the Lord has made, REJOICE and BE GLAD in it.
I hope the Lord has spoken to you today. I pray you will realize the wonder of the race He has set before you. Just remember endurance will be our key to running a successful race and crossing the finish line a true winner!
Running with my cloud of witnesses!
Barbara
DIVA
Divinely Inspired Victoriously Active
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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