How to Exchange Riding the Crazy Train for Running Your Race (Part 4 of 4)
It took all of a swift second to know what God was asking me to surrender.
My thoughts were still lagging on the crazy train but I was ready to get off. In God’s usual timely fashion, there was an invitation time built into the conference where we were invited to repent if needed— to turn away from something of our own, and turn towards God instead.
One of the natural consequences of turning away and turning towards is making room. Repentance is how we make room in our crowded hearts and minds to receive God’s transforming truth. This is the seed that can take root and bear flourishing fruit in our lives.
Repentance also does something else for our weary souls— it refreshes us. Paul verifies this in Acts 3:19-20
“Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
I all but sprinted to the front, feeling like the cement ground couldn’t get me into a low enough posture. There were three things I knew needed to be on the altar that day— comparison and it’s companions, criticism and competition.
We are meant to experience more in this life than the cycle of feeling guilty, trying harder and failing. But without repentance, humility and steps of faith, we may never get to the other side and realize it wasn’t just about breaking up with sin, and in this case comparison, it’s about making room for life.
God wanted me to make room for something else that day; something that was on the other side— celebration, championing and ultimately authentic community.
If you look back at our Scripture from our second conversation about this crazy train, you may notice something I missed the first few times I read it:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)
We. Us. Our.
As a somewhat independent runner whose insides were brimming with criticism, comparison and competition, I had no idea they were robbing me of community.
We begin to have a true change of belief that leads to a lasting change of behaviour— that we have a unique calling given by a creative God who wants to be intimately known by us, we have the freedom to invite others to do the same.
We can run in our own lanes, at our own paces, championing the call of God in other people’s lives because they are not our competition but our teammates and cheerleaders.
Will you believe it?
After my knees had done their time in the concrete, I knew the Spirit wasn’t finished with me. On His leading, I walked right up to her— that poised and polished woman and said, “I feel like I need to confess my sin to you. I googled you last night.”
(If you’re feeling mortified reading, knowing that I have similar feelings as I write.)
Thankfully, the conversation moved on from there and she didn’t call security. Without an ounce of judgement, only kindness and compassion, she went on to encourage and champion me in what I sensed God was calling me to do that day. I’ve had a few opportunities to connect with her since then and it’s always the same— kindness, encouragement, championing and celebrating what God is doing in and through my life.
What’s at stake when we ride the crazy train?
The kind of authentic community that we need to actually run the races set before us. The way that together, we help one another throw off the hindrances that we sometimes don’t even realize are hindrances, and the sin that we don’t realize is entangling us, and running together with all of our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Here’s what I want you to do: Decide if you BELIEVE this— that you have a unique calling given by a creative God who wants you to know Him and make Him known with the unique fabric of your life. If you don’t but you want to, ask God to increase your faith.
If you believe or want to, determine to get to KNOW HIM who called you— You will not get to a know a person without spending time together, engaging in conversation, and trusting that what they say is true. Make Bible reading a regular rhythm in your life. Look to the Word before you listen to the world. Accept the invitation to dialogue, trust His Word and the leading of His Holy Spirit. He is Truth.
Trade some ME time for WE time— be intentional about connecting with someone else who wants to run the race set before them. Ask how they’re really doing. Talk about what’s been challenging and encouraging to you. Sit face to face. Connect. Drink coffee slowly. Experience community.
Ask God for an Assignment— one that requires you to depend on Him. [*Spoiler alert*] It will have something to do with making Him known or as Paul says, preaching to others. And, when you preach to others, guess who is continually hearing the gospel? You. No matter the who, what, where, when and how of your assignment, it will eventually involve making known something you know about Him. You will never go wrong with seeking to know Him as you open up His Word.