Dare to Run

The Swallow is NOT a runner.  When she participated in the cross-country races held during her school-going years, her target would be just to finish the race and get the minimum one point.  She knew the top-ten runners' list would forever remain out of her reach.

How does one run a race?  The Swallow cannot speak for others, but to her, it is about her focus.  When she ran in the cross-country races, she focused on these aspects...

• the finishing line - no giving up, no matter how difficult the race
• the time - in order to get the minimum one point, she had to finish within the time limit
• the pacing - knowing her limits and keeping her breathing regular (the first time she ran, she paced herself with her friends who ran much faster, quickly found herself out of breath and although she finished the event, did not manage to do it in time and thus failed to get the minimum one point)
• the training - practice runs week after week
• the cheerleaders - those who continuously encouraged her not to give up
• the satisfaction - yes!

And not on these...

• the cuts and bruises
• the pain in her sides
• the snide laughter of some who finished much earlier

Life is a race too, isn't it?  For the world, it is called the rat race.  For the Swallow and others who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the believer's race.  Though the outcome of the two races is different, yet there is a similarity in these races - what is the runner's focus?

It has always been the Swallow's goal to do her best.  At first, it was to avoid the scoldings from her parents and teachers when she did not do her best.  Later on, when she had tasted of God's love and had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, it was with a grateful heart that she wanted to do her best, to give God the glory and honour that He deserves.

In her believer's race, it is always a constant struggle for the Swallow to do her best.  So much easier it is to just relax, not to bother, not to care.  Well, that's the sinful nature in her, wanting always to please herself instead of the Lord God.  So it is that when she has such thoughts and feelings, she has to bring her focus back on her reason for living - the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Lord Jesus Christ, she has a Saviour - One who has gone through much more than what she has endured when He had His race to run on earth so He understands what she has in her heart.  As she is on His team, when He was victorious in His race, the Swallow too is counted as victorious.  What comfort it is to trust in One such as this!

DARE TO RUN (author unknown)

The assembly of the faithful
Surrounding yet unseen
Is gathered as a witness to the race
And on the track awaiting
Are the runners of today
The call has come for each to take his place
The road ahead is narrow
The way is sometimes steep
And only the committed claim the prize
But standing at the finish
With arms outstretched to greet us
Is the One who has endured the race
And paid the final price...

Dare to run, with our eyes fixed on Jesus
Following the footsteps of the One who's gone before us
Dare to run, with the power of His Spirit
Called to be victors in a race already won
Dare to run!

We must have our Saviour's vision, compassion for the lost
Courage for the future, love at any cost

Dare to run, with our eyes fixed on Jesus
Following the footsteps of the One who's gone before us
Dare to run, with the power of His Spirit
Called to be victors in a race already won
Dare to run
Called to be victors in a race already won
Dare to run!