Walking out of the high school I saw the sign propped up on a tree. It was quite large and in big white letters it said, “Did you leave it all on the field?” It reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend just a few minutes earlier. He congratulated me on Wesley’s run saying that he must have done well because he was exhausted. He was exhausted because he had just given all of his mental and physical energy to run a three mile cross country race. He didn’t have a field to leave it on – but he had a trail and by giving everything he had to the race he, “left it all on the trail.”
When I taught fourth grade, I had a student who used to say, “I’m catching what you’re throwing, Mrs. Moore.” I love that kid. I said that today as I passed the sign. “I’m catching what you’re throwing God. I hear you.” What I felt God whispering to my heart was a similar question, “Are you at least giving what you have to the battle you are facing?” “Whether it is ends up like you want it to or not are you trying?” “Are you running your race to the best of your ability?”
Those of us who battle depression and anxiety are always fighting an internal battle. I don’t ever wake up and feel ready to take on the day. The chemicals in my brain – or the lack of the right chemicals in my brain – always mean I have to combat the overwhelming urge to give up before every getting started. The point today for me was am I giving some effort to run the race I have been given? I’m not going to win every race, but I have to give it my best effort.
This verse came to mind, “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 perfect of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
Running this race is always challenging. There are hurdles and obstacles and potholes. The cross country course in our little town is extremely challenging as well. Runners from lower altitudes struggle with the lack of oxygen. All runners struggle with the hills and the rough terrain. But they run and they run hard. Today, it encouraged me to do the same. No matter the level of difficulty, I need to give every ounce of fight I have. The reward is worth the effort.
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