The 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire” introduced those of us who were not alive in the 1920s to an amazing runner from Scotland who trained in Britain for the 1924 Paris Olympics. He participated in both the 100 and 200 meter races, but at the Olympics his race was scheduled on a Sunday. As a committed Christian, he declined to race on that day and was scheduled for the 400 meter race the day before. His running style was unusual (some called it ugly): he ran with his head thrown back, mouth wide open and arms flailing. Given the normal distance of his runs, he could have collapsed well before the end. Instead, to everyone’s surprise, he won! His comment? “The secret of my success over the 400m is that I run the first 200m as fast as I can. Then, the second 200m, with God’s help, I run faster.”
How many times have we heard the expression”against all odds”, yet we have seen results that have us dumb-founded? When I take walks, I often see things in God’s creation that amaze me. This beautiful “weed” is one of those things. How does anything push through a crack in concrete in the middle of the desert and not only find life, but actually bloom? 
Each of us has had or currently has a crack in the concrete we have to push through or a race to run. We aren’t going to do it the same way as everybody else. I’m not running your race and you’re not running mine. That doesn’t mean we can’t win. Making it successfully to the finish line may not be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We may not be able to see what’s ahead, but that also means we can’t give up: victory may be just around the next corner. If we quit, we’ll never know.
What obstacle are you facing? What crack are you trying to break through? Eric Liddell made it to the finish line “with God’s help”. So can you.
“Therefore, since 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
So good Teri! Beautiful analogy! Just what I needed!❤️🤗
Thanks for the great encouraging word picture Teri. I needed that. Been a tough year. Thx
This is nicely timed to coincide with the Olympics. It’s good to remember just in our daily activities, not to give up when it’s too hot, or we’re too tired, or something aches and pains us, or our energy in waning, thinking we can’t do this or we can’t do that. God will take our hand and lift us through. He says so.
It’s comforting to know that I am not running the race for a high position. I am running to finish the race.
Thank you for the encouraging word, Teri.
Great reminder and remember that Our Lord is in charge!!! We just need to be obedient!! Thank you for sharing and giving encouragement!!!!