Just Finish it!

Today I completed my first 5k and I am so glad that I chose to try to do this.  I went in to it with just the expectation of finishing.  It was just a small thing that I wanted to accomplish for myself.  However, I didn't expect to experience emotionally and spiritually what this race did for me.  First of all, I'm not a runner!  I ran track back in Jr. High and hated it!  The only reason I ran then was because I was the tallest girl in my class and they needed my long legs for the girls team.  So I tried to do my best, but I never liked it.  So, I walked this race...and as I walked I tried to take in everything around me, and God didn't disappoint.  He began to show me little things that just made me even more alive inside.  As I looked around at others who joined in this race, I saw young kids running along side their Parents, Elderly people, people with physical challenges...so much diversity.  I noticed that, although, we all started together at the same time, we all finished at different times, but at the same 'finish line'.  You know, it's a lot like LIFE...some people were born runners, they can start a race and face every obstacle that comes at them with tenacity and vigor and still finish at a steady pace.  Others, like me, choose to walk the race and face whatever obstacles I may face at a slower pace.  But, no matter what pace each of us chose for ourselves, we all, in the end, finished across the same line.  Our times may have been different, but our ending place was the same. 
 A lot like this Christian race we all run/walk.  God is so good, that in His infinite Power, he is able to give us all the same prize no matter when we cross the line.  The most inspiring moment I believe I found today, was at different points of the race there were people their cheering us on and handing us water to quench our thirst.  Then finally, at the finish line they were lined up welcoming all the racers across the line.  They stayed until everyone crossed.  How inspiring that was to me...
We, as Christians, even yet, as Human Beings, should not just focus on our race, but be there as encouragement for other racers.  We can't take this journey alone, we need each other, for encouragement, pats on the back, love, smiles, a helping hand...anything that helps others want to continue to the finish line.  Each of us race in life differently because our personalities are different, but we all have the same finish.
I am a firm believer, after all the junk I've been through, that if you embrace Life, it'll embrace you back.  You get what you give out.  Don't be so swallowed up in your own stuff that has you down.  Stop for a moment and put your focus on someone else and watch what happens to your situation.  Things will begin to turn around.  I Believe it!  I'm Living It!  Take time to do something with yourself that you've never done before.  Challenge yourself!  This 5k was not a big deal to anyone but me, because I know I would have never thought of doing anything like this before.  But I tell you, when I step out of my comfort zone and do something positive with my life, God always shows me something that inspires me to continue in this race!  Don't worry about how you look in the race...just finish it!  It's your race...run it or walk it, but at least FINISH IT!  You can do it!