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| Why a Staggered Start? |
One Sunday Pastor Gene talked about each of us being right
where we are supposed to be. I seriously doubted his statement because I had a
list of things that I should have done by now, and I had not done them. But, by
the end of the sermon I understood. Another Sunday he told about his faith
journey and how long he had known the Lord verses someone who had never cared
to know God and how they would have the same mercies extended to them! I
thought, “Talk about starting in different places.” This idea lingered well
after service, and I started to think about how I used to run track a long time
ago. Well, that deserves two “longs!”
I pictured all the runners prepared for different races, waiting for their lane assignment and their start time. We all wanted the inside
lane on the track. (Lane 3 was my favorite, but from lane 1 you could see
everybody!) I ran sprint and distance, and in a short race like the 100-meter
dash, we all started even. If the race was longer your start was staggered. I
shared this with my daughter, and she asked, “How does that work? Is someone
running further than the other?” I answered,
“They run the same distance. They are staggered at the start
because of the curves on the track.”
That was an “aha” moment that connected me spiritually to my thoughts. Whatever “lane” God has assigned us in life, know that it’s
because of the “curves” in this race that He staggers our starts. Find comfort
in knowing that the curves and the bends come at different times on our
journeys of life. Whether you feel like you got the inside lane or you’ve been
on the outside too long—for whatever reason—God
ensures we all have the same distance to the Cross! He knows what is best
for us, and he gave us the equipment and strength to finish with victory.
I returned to the Bible and saw that “under the sun,” the
race is not given to the swift or the battle to the strong. Bread is not given to
the wise, or riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill, but time
and chance happen to all. (Ecclesiastes 9-11)
If we run in our God-assigned lane, pick up our
cross, run with endurance this race that is set before us while looking to
Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith….….We Win!