“Life is a culmination of the past, an awareness of the present, an indication of a future beyond knowledge, the quality that gives a touch of divinity to matter.”   Charles Lindbergh

There is nothing wrong with setting goals.  By planning our futures we’re being wise stewards of our time and talents.  We start at an early age, learning to tie our shoes or ride a bike.  When we begin school, we soon discover that we don’t achieve without knowledge.  Our parents often remind us that we aren’t working up to our potential.  As we become teens we start thinking about relationships and where they will go.  Young adulthood sets our minds on college and future plans. 

Once we leave the educational system, reality sets in – and I’m not talking about the kind you see on many of today’s television shows.  We find that the goals we’re setting may be unattainable.  We run into roadblocks that slow down the race.  We get beat up by disappointment, failure, desperation, hopelessness. 

As we run through our middle ages, we find that we may never achieve the goals we originally set.  We eventually give up even trying.  By the time we reach the senior years it doesn’t really seem important to set goals anymore.  We may wonder. “What’s the use?”   The main achievement on any given day for some is to merely get out of bed.

When we run a race alone it can be extremely difficult.  That may be why marathons are so popular. “Misery likes company,” they say.  During the training process however, we’re often on our own.  Running on a daily basis, watching our diet, training our minds to focus on the goal – are all things we must do alone, our focus cann turn inward and we often lose sight of the final destination.  We may become obsessed with getting physically ready and train for weeks or months in advance. We put all of our attention into what WE can accomplish by our own actions, rather than asking for help.

Look forward to the final destination, while keeping these things in mind:

• The race is being run daily.  Look at each day as an opportunity.
• We are not alone.
• Plan each step for the future with the knowledge that there will be road blocks.
• The Word of God, the Bible is our manual for how to live.
• We can do all things with God’s intervention.
• The prize has already been won.  
• Our victory is assured through Jesus, Christ.

Dear Father in heaven, I’ve already won the prize through your forgiveness.  As I run through the rest of the race continue to nourish me through your Holy Word. Help me realize that you are right there beside me – encouraging, lifting me up, supporting me and giving me the final victory.  Keep my vision focused on you and your amazing grace and use me to share that wonderful message with others.  Amen!