I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

Have you ever seen a swim meet?

At the start of the race, the swimmer steps onto the starting block and bends over in the starting position.  You can almost feel the muscles full of energy poised, ready to race.  The silence of the crowd as they hold their breath and wait for the starting signal to sound is palpable.

Have you ever seen a false start?  Everyone in the entire pool area is waiting for the start signal and one (or more sometimes) takes off before the signal.  The release of breath from those present is almost like a gasp.  The swimmer takes off down the length of the pool only to realize the race has not started.  They gave their all and it wasn’t time to race…yet.  They have to make their way back and climb out of the pool, shake off the excess water, get their head in the right place, and take their mark again.  The entire energy of the area is changed as the swimmers again take their mark.

Think about the training involved for the swimmer to get to the point of being ready for the race.  They have to do hours of repetitive strokes, perfecting their timing, the angle of their arms as they slice through the water, their turn at each end of the pool lane.  It takes a coach who sees the end potential to push the swimmer beyond what they think they can do.  It also involves conditioning.  Swimmers have to run and lift weights too.  They have to eat right and sleep right and have their thoughts on the end goal – competing and winning their race.

So, back to the swim meet.  The swimmer has put the work in.  The coach has put the work in.  The swimmer puts his earphones in his ears to hear the song that gets him in the zone and waits for his heat to be called.  Now, they get to the competition and they are ready to go and the crowd kicks in.  The family is there screaming encouragement.  He is ready!

I think this grieving journey is like that.  We are called to walk this path – it’s our pool.  We have many false starts and have to get back to our starting place and try again.  God puts “coaches” along the way to teach us; work with us; beckon to us to keep on “swimming”; people who sense God’s calling in our life.  We are asked to lift heavy things that in the long run grow us and make us stronger to handle heavier things further in our race.  We listen to music that inspires us and read scriptures that feed us.  We have a Heavenly Father that gives us proper rest.  Then, as we prepare to swim our race, we hear our friends and family screaming encouragement from all around the pool area; whether it is a heartfelt prayer on our behalf, an encouraging phone call or an invitation to dinner.  Their enthusiasm that we can win this race keeps us going.  When we have the false starts, it is what gets us back to the poolside and back on the starting block.

God has specifically and lovingly chosen us for this race.  He doesn’t want us to experience grief, but He knows that we will be able to help others if we have walked a similar path and He can use our hands and feet to comfort others.  He won’t leave us and He will prepare us along the way.

Dear Lord, Thank you for choosing me to glorify You.  I don’t see the strength that you see in me.  I submit to Your Will, my loving Father.  I know You will give me what I need and You will be with me as I run the race that You have set before me.  I love you, Father, and with Your help I will finish this race.  Amen

Archive:  Originally posted on awidowsmight.org in April 2014