Running the Race

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The Tortoise and the Hare

I was impressed when the Cross Country team remembered our conversation at the beginning of the season. I asked them why the Tortoise won the race. They looked confused that I would talk about an early childhood fairy tale to pre-teens and how it would help.

However, I told them the Tortoise won because he stayed focused and kept his eye on the prize. But the Rabbit was overly confident and distracted, which caused him to lose the race.

Can you see where I am going with this? I asked the students.

I got their undivided attention. I also saw where the Holy Spirit was leading me.

Prayerfully, I sought the Lord’s direction, a teachable Spirit, and a clear view of where I need growth. I saw how, like the Rabbit, my distractions kept me from knowing Him, understanding His word, and receiving His blessings.

As I continued to reflect on this tale, I saw that, unlike the Rabbit, the Tortoise was not without sin. I imagined the weight of his shell slowing him down.

Hebrews 12 talks about our struggle against the sin that hinders us.

Fear, doubt, and ignorance were just a few of the sins that frustrated me; fear of the future paralyzed me and doubt kept me stuck.

I doubted God’s word and His promises; I wrote them down and spoke them with my lips, but my heart was far from Him. I saw God do mighty things in others through His spoken word; why not me, I thought.

As Jesus said to the many He healed, “Your faith healed you.” Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains; however, doubt as small as a mustard seed can block our blessings too.

James says, don’t ask God for anything if you have doubt; such a person is double-minded and is like the waves of the sea. I couldn’t move this mountain; He moved the mountain of fear that overpowered me when I acknowledged my sin of doubt and surrendered my life to Jesus without reservation.

Nobody likes to be called ignorant; I get that, but God Himself says ignorance is a sin against knowing Him. He says,

“The lack of knowledge destroys my people, and those without understanding come to ruins” (Hosea 4:1-19).

Also, our burdens don’t just slow us down; others’ burdens are like iron shackles on our ankles and a beast of obligations on our backs that don’t belong to us. I felt that weight on my shoulders every day.

The Lord said in Isaiah 46:1-2, “Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; beasts of burden bear their idols. The images carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity.”

Have you ever felt like you were taking the world’s weight on your shoulders?

We carry personal burdens, and when we try to control others’ behavior, we also carry their burdens. These are co-dependent behaviors. Neuroscience is proving what the Bible has been teaching about sin and the sins of our ancestors since the beginning.

Spiritually, we bear our ancestors’ iniquities when we continue in their patterns.

“Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Paul reminds us that a cloud of witnesses is watching us.

Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Our growth also depends on these lessons, and we must practice spiritual disciplines as we run the race in the spiritual realm, weeding out resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness. These take root when we refuse to change our thinking. But we cannot do this on our own; we need the power of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of His Spirit includes grace, Love, and compassion.

Still, we need to put what we have learned into practice.

Jesus talked about an unclean spirit and how it returns sevenfold if the house is unoccupied—gratitude instead of complaining; optimism instead of pessimism.

“When an impure spirit emerges from a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ It finds the house unoccupied, swept clean, and put in order when it arrives. 45 Then it takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” ( Matthew 12:43).

David Richo’s 5As are a great tool: Acceptance, appreciation, attention, approval, and affection.

As a first-time athletic coach, I didn’t know the children personally, and they didn’t know me. I needed to build a rapport with them to earn their trust. When we met, I had to lay the foundation of trust. Working with children is more challenging than one may think.

I learned the hard way: every child has their own experiences, and I am not there to manage their behavior. Children learn behaviors from caregivers, teachers, coaches, etc. Also, not all children learn the same, and no one-size-fits-all model exists.

For humor and breaking down barriers, I decided a kindergarten story would be a great tool to build on. Moreover, as I submit to God’s will, I’ve seen the wisdom of the authors of such stories plant pearls of knowledge after we set our pride aside and ask the Holy Spirit to give us a teachable spirit, like a little child.

I’ve also realized earlier on my journey that I am ministering to the underdeveloped child in me. Part of me was left behind, and I needed to acknowledge her, rescue her, and turn the negative into a positive, productive foundation and framework to grow on.

Jesus said, ” Put into practice? I had to walk in trust, taking steps in the Lord and with the people He placed around me to guide me in this new endeavor.

I was in new territory and terrified of unfamiliar surroundings, but the kids were gracious and forgave me when I admitted my failures. I practiced humility by asking and accepting help from others instead of being too proud. I had to learn to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit instead of allowing fear to overpower me.

I witnessed the children show integrity at our first meet when they passed the finish line. Instead of taking their seats, they ran to their teammates still running the race and cheered them on to the finish line! What these kids did showed what integrity looks like.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the Rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the Rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matthew 7:24-29).

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I remembered the story of the three pigs. One who built his house with straw could not withstand life’s storms. He rushed and failed to build a firm foundation; his ignorance made them food for the wolf.

Another of the three little pigs built his house with hay. He too made it on the menu. But lastly, the brick-laying pig was safe.

Jesus tells the parable of those who build their lives on sinking sand versus those who build on the Rock and have a firm foundation. I recognized that I needed to build a foundation of trust in the Lord by working out my trust muscles when life’s storms come against me. We lead by modeling steadfastness in our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, the Rock of our foundation.

Although I am new to athletic coaching, mental health is just as vital as physical health; it affects every aspect of life. I know from experience that life’s burdens can feel like weights on our ankles, slowing us down, keeping us from accomplishing our goals, or even hurting us.

As we focus on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we acknowledge our weaknesses to Him, who can sustain us in all things.

Self-awareness helps me see my triggers as signs to pause, seek His strength, be mindful of His Spirit, and visualize myself as a child standing on His promises.

The simplicity of childlike faith teaches us humility when we set aside the pride that hinders us or leads us down a destructive path.

Yes, we can change the storyline by acknowledging our sins, confessing them, and asking the Holy Spirit for daily guidance. When we are in a hurry, like the Rabbit, we miss the many blessings God plants on our path each day.

And if we miss the blessings, instead of walking away feeling defeated, rejoice and redirect your focus to the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ. He is not finished with you!

At the bottom is a link with great tools that help with anxiety; these are just symptoms, and they don’t define us; we are God’s children. These tools help as we prayerfully seek the Lord through breathing, grounding, and meditating on His Word.

Meditation and praise help us clear our minds of negativity and replace it with positive thoughts; instead of complaining about a situation, we can find peace as we practice gratitude and place our faith in Jesus. God is our fortress and our strength. We can also pray and ask the Holy Spirit to govern our minds.

Holy Spirit, I ask that You control my mind and lead me in the ways of the LORD. Like the Rabbit, my mind races and wants to rush to the finish line; I become anxious, distracted, and clumsy. In those moments, I know I can hurt myself or others; please give me an attitude of gratitude and praise.

Remind me this is not a race to perfectionism; help me keep pace as You lead.

Lord, You are my Shepherd. When I fail You, remind me that You are gracious and compassionate, and that Your mercies are new every morning.

Jesus, give me an attitude of gratitude, and help me recognize Your loving hands in everything, Lord.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, amen.

References:

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

Schwartz calls these Legacy Burdens. (Internal Family Systems Therapy, Richard D. Schwartz, 2023).

https://americanliterature.com/childrens-stories/the-three-little-pigs

https://americanliterature.com/author/aesop/short-story/the-tortoise-and-the-hare

Mental health is just as vital as physical health – G96.7. https://g967gulfcoast.com/mental-health-is-just-as-vital-as-physical-health/

https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a46021445/surprising-symptoms-of-anxiety/?source=nl

https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a45990390/visualization-techniques/