I think we forget what Monday must look like for the athlete. Somehow we freeze frame them as standing on the stage with tears in their eyes, overcome with emotion with the realization that they accomplished their goal; they won the prize. Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing moment to remember. This picture rightfully sticks in our minds as a great symbol of where discipline and determination can take us. But we forget that it doesn't end there for these athletes. When they step off the stage, the stadium lights dim, the cheers die down, and Monday comes, they are back at it again. The same inspiring determination and discipline that got them to the "good part of the story", lands them right into the start of a new chapter. And they start preparing for their next climax; their next success.
I grew up with a desire to run, but I was honestly never very disciplined about it. I would get inspired, make a bunch of goals and then quickly get discouraged or lazy or both. I would give up, and then pretty soon the cycle would start again. But finally last year, a friend challenged me to start somewhere. So I set my first goal; I signed up for a 5k. Having that goal gave me a reason to run; an accomplishment to reach. I know a 5k seems like nothing, especially in light of all the talk about Olympic athletes. :) But since my previous attempts at running had ended in failure, this was a big
deal to me. You see it had to do with more than a race; it had to do with my life. The same awful
running cycle seemed to be the way my spiritual life would go. Inspiration, failure, discouragement, and then defeat. Signing up for the 5K was about more than a race; it was about letting the Lord teach me lessons through this training. I could almost feel the Lord running alongside me; encouraging me like a coach would. "You can do this, Christen. I made you to run. I am pleased when you do it for Me. Take it one day at a time. Give it everything you have."
The race day came! My goal was not to finish first, but run at a steady pace and not stop. It went well! There was such a great feeling of accomplishment that came, knowing that I prepared for something, and then did it! But just like Monday comes after Sunday, and a new week begins; it came for me. And it hit me hard. Months went by, and I ran less and less; my strength deteriorating little by little. You see I was prepared for the race, but I wasn't prepared for Monday. Many times we are told to set a goal and go after it, and that I did! But after our greatest successes we can land right back where we were before we set out, or even worse if we are not careful. We can focus on our
accomplishment, and want to stop there. But the reason Monday comes back around, is there is still
life to be lived! There's still another race to be won! What I didn't realize was that along with the end of a great accomplishment, was the opportunity for a greater one. You see, for months Monday has been depressing me, but now I know it's only because there's something greater to prepare for! In the grand scheme of things, the 5k will be a start, but if I let it end there, it would be a pathetic tragedy.
So I signed up for a 10k this fall, and you better believe I'm going to prepare for it. I'm excited about all the things the Lord will teach me along the way! But this time, I'll be ready for Monday.
deal to me. You see it had to do with more than a race; it had to do with my life. The same awful
running cycle seemed to be the way my spiritual life would go. Inspiration, failure, discouragement, and then defeat. Signing up for the 5K was about more than a race; it was about letting the Lord teach me lessons through this training. I could almost feel the Lord running alongside me; encouraging me like a coach would. "You can do this, Christen. I made you to run. I am pleased when you do it for Me. Take it one day at a time. Give it everything you have."
The race day came! My goal was not to finish first, but run at a steady pace and not stop. It went well! There was such a great feeling of accomplishment that came, knowing that I prepared for something, and then did it! But just like Monday comes after Sunday, and a new week begins; it came for me. And it hit me hard. Months went by, and I ran less and less; my strength deteriorating little by little. You see I was prepared for the race, but I wasn't prepared for Monday. Many times we are told to set a goal and go after it, and that I did! But after our greatest successes we can land right back where we were before we set out, or even worse if we are not careful. We can focus on our
accomplishment, and want to stop there. But the reason Monday comes back around, is there is still
life to be lived! There's still another race to be won! What I didn't realize was that along with the end of a great accomplishment, was the opportunity for a greater one. You see, for months Monday has been depressing me, but now I know it's only because there's something greater to prepare for! In the grand scheme of things, the 5k will be a start, but if I let it end there, it would be a pathetic tragedy.
So I signed up for a 10k this fall, and you better believe I'm going to prepare for it. I'm excited about all the things the Lord will teach me along the way! But this time, I'll be ready for Monday.
