Just keep going...

       When we think of a race, we may think of running down a track, doing our best to get to the finish line first. We may even have to stay in our lane and follow certain rules and regulations so as not to be disqualified. But, in the race of life for the child of God, things are a bit different. For one thing, it is a race of endurance, not a race to determine who finishes first. In fact, it is more like a marathon, where, for many runners in that type of race, it is about enduring to the end. In this race people may fall and I would even dare to say must fall because that is all part of this type of race. However, when you fall, you don't stay down but you pick yourself up and keep going. You will fall many times, but you have to pick yourself and keep going.

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       This race track is like an obstacle course, with obstacles in the way to hinder you . . . but you have to keep going. No matter what you face, you just have to keep going. People may be there, on the sidelines, cheering you on, others may be waiting to see you fall, either way you keep going. And all the while, your focus is on the finish line ahead and the prize that awaits you there, if you would just keep going. You're tired, you're thirsty, your body aches, but you have to keep going. Other participants are passing you and seeming to be doing even better than you but you just keep going. Others may try to bump you out of the race, may even try to hurt you and thus hinder you, but you just keep going.

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       You see, the only time that you really lose in a race like this one is when you stop BEFORE  the finish line, when you choose to give up, saying and believing that you can't go on anymore, that it's too hard, too impossible. But it's at these times, when you come to the end of yourself, that God is able to step in and remind you that you were never supposed to run this race alone, that in fact you were never really alone and that He was right there all along. Every time you got back up, He helped you. Every time you chose to keep going, He was the One renewing your strength. You were never alone . . . Your Sustainer, Your Comforter, Your Strength was right there all along, with you, every step of the way and He will take you to that finish line if you will just trust Him! So, don't give up . . . just keep going!!!

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