“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) When I entered the 7th grade I joined the track team. By the time I went on Christmas break I was one of the best runners on the team. My track coach put me in the fastest races due to my time. When we returned to school the following year, a new girl had transferred to our school. She was tall, slim, and fast. I had a difficult time adjusting to the fact that I was no longer the fastest on the team. My track coach raced us against each other to determine who would run each race. I didn't want to lose my spot so I pulled Renee K to the side and asked her, “Why don’t you let me win this race?” She was younger, a 6th grader and intimidated by an eight grader. She said, “OK,” but I could tell she was embarrassed for me. I was so ashamed after I asked. It was one of the lowest points of my childhood. I felt sick to my stomach. I eventually went to my coach and told her what I had done. As I reflect back, I realize how much pressure a child can be under to be the best, something that can carry over into adulthood. There is pressure to win, pressure to be perfect, especially when there is someone in our ear telling us we are not good enough or that we have to be first. There is pressure to look a certain way especially when we have had someone in our lives who pointed out all the things that are wrong with us. Yet, the Lord does not look at any of that. He is just asking us to stay in the race. He is asking us to endure. He is asking us to take our eyes off each other and stay focused on finishing, at your pace, not someone else’s. Stay focused on God. To all of us who are struggling this morning, let go of being perfect, let go of pleasing man. You are enough! “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7) GiGi❤️
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