Don’t be a “DNF” Participant!
September 23, 2013 Leave a comment
“I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 ERV
“DNF-an acronym that they put at the end of your name in the race list (cycling, marathon, triathlon, ironman race) indicating that you did not finish the race .”
I am an endurance athlete (not professional, just recreational for my heart rehab). I can swim (2.4miles) and bike long distance (100 miles) but I cannot run 2 miles comfortably. So my ironman goal is not realistic because I cannot finish the 26.2 miles of running during the ironman race, I will have DNF after my name at the end of the race – I don’t want that. So what I do now is just train the best I can and set realistic goals – not to win a race but to sustain a healthy lifestyle. If I can swim and bike comfortably, then I know that my heart is pumping just normal. To me, this is an indicator of my lifespan (if I don’t get hit by a vehicle in the street).
Our life is like an endurance race. Although life is not really a race, it is more of an event – a lifetime event. There is a preparation phase, beginning, mid of race and then the finish line. The preparation has been done already for us – we’ve been chosen to be an ambassador for Christ before the foundation of the earth, each one of us was given a calling. That’s what the Bible said, so I am just going to believe that premise and I hope you will too.
Like any other races, the beginning of the race is enjoyable and fun and full of excitement. It is when we reach the halfway mark or close to the finish line that the struggle starts. Any professional endurance athlete knows best with this phenomena/difficulty and that is why they trained their body so well for this phase. To finish an endurance race will take more than the physical elements, one will need a solid mindset that when the body refuses to go on, you tell your body to keep going even if you cannot take another step and you keep trying anyway until you crosses the finish line.
Our real life journey is the same way, that is why there is a thing called “midlife crisis” – the time when we are so confused that we start thinking:
“I need to change jobs”
“I’m in the wrong profession”
“I need to divorce my husband or wife”
“I’m in love with another person”
“I used to love you to the bone”
“I’d like to be be someone else”
“I’m bored”
“I feel I have not accomplished anything”
“I have nothing to show for”
“My life is a failure”
“I want change”
“I’m confused and don’t know what to do anymore”
Those are just my short list and I know that you have a few in mind.
My main point is – don’t DNF on these things I mentioned above. You started it – then you have to finish. The desire to be in that race was not your idea-someone placed that desire in your heart when you first started it.
Rest if you must, but get up and take one more step and keep going because you are not running the race by yourself.
See it at YouVersion.com: