Girl, Get Your Groove On!Àpẹrẹ

A few years ago, a dear friend of mine climbed into bed after a day of normal activity and woke up unable to move her legs. Doctors soon discovered a worsening condition similar to MS. Overnight her world changed. Suddenly, she could no longer drive or do daily tasks many of us take for granted. With three kids under eighteen and a family business to run, she faced a mountain of challenges.

And yet, she did not give up.

Instead of drowning in what will never be, she poured her energy into learning how to live from a wheelchair—with strength, joy, and unwavering faith. She became a living picture of what it looks like to run with endurance the race God set before her.

Her race doesn’t look like mine. And yours won't look like hers. But each of us has a race uniquely marked out by God—distinct, but moving toward the same eternal prize. Whether you feel like a sprinter, a shuffler, or someone who needs a hand to keep going, your race matters. We are called to run, even if we cannot walk.

While visiting the ruins of ancient cities in Turkey, I stood in a first-century stadium much like the ones Paul referenced in Scripture. Our guide lined us up and told us to run. I was in a dress. Next to me were Marines, a former bodybuilder, and college students half my age. I looked ridiculous comparatively. But our racing wasn’t about agility, speed, or youthfulness. It was about finishing.

That’s the heart of Paul’s message. You’re not expected to run someone else’s race. I don’t need to feel pressure or guilt for not performing at the level of a Marine, keeping up with my neighbor who is better conditioned, or anyone else to whom I compare myself. You and I are expected to run the race that God has set before us, not the one we want to run, and not the one that looks better on Instagram.

You are called to run the race God marked out for you. Nothing more—nothing less.

So drop the comparisons. Lay aside the pressure. And start running your race.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for designing a race just for me. Help me run with endurance, free from comparison and full of trust in You. Strengthen me for every step as I follow Your path. Amen.