Run Your Own Race

One thing I've realized about being single is that it is easy to get distracted from your own race.  You are peddling along fine in your single walk.  You know that you are trusting God and having faith and believing for the promises to manifest concerning your mate and other stuff.  You are in a good place.  And then you see an ex with a new date.  Or then a friend gets engaged.  Or another friend has a baby.  These are perfectly normal events, joyous occasions even, and you are genuinely happy for these people, but then at the end of the day something within you wants to stop and contemplate what this all means for your life,

Why?  Why do we do that?  Or let me personalize this- why do I do that?  What does a friend getting married have to do with you getting married?  What does a co-worker having a baby have to do with you and your future kids?  Nothing at all.  So why do we dwell on it like there is some magical number of blessings that can happen and they took the last one.  Come on, God is much bigger than all of that- and as they always say, what God has for you is just  for you.  Nobody can take away your blessing and the fact that someone received something that you are praying for should make you rejoice because God is no respecter of persons and what He did for your ex, he can certainly do for you!

Don't limit God!  We try to equate God to the world and its standards and that will never work.  God made this world, so He is not defined by its rules or customs, He is above it all.

We just have to learn to run our own race.  Have you ever seen a hurdler trying to jump over the hurdles of the person next to them?  No.  And you know why? Well one they would probably get disqualified, but also because it is not going to get them their end goal, to win the race,.  We cannot be so focused on what's happening next to us as it relates to our race.  We each have unique races and plans from God.  God is infinite enough to give us all our own plan and our own race.  Just because Susie got married at 29 does not mean you won't be married at 31. You cannot compare races.  It will get you no where and it will only get you upset about the race God has for you.

And I have learned, let us not be those grumbling, complaining children of Israel.  I say that knowing perfectly well that I have been one of them many times in the past, but as of 2010 I have worked very consciously not to be a complainer because I know I am getting out of my own wilderness time for good and you should too.


As Hebrews 12:1 says- ...and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. 

Basically keep your eyes focused on your own race and don't be swayed, moved, or worried by what's going on around you.  Susie's race is not your race.  Tommy's race is not your race.  You cannot run your race effectively when you are so focused on what everyone else is doing.  God deals with us personally and He is going to give you the steps to run your race.  Stay dilligent and persisent with your own race even if it looks like you are not going anywhere because in all actuality, you are progressing everyday.

I say all of this because I know, I have been there. It usually happens when you are in someone's wedding.  You are so happy for them and you are the good friend throughout, but when the wedding is over, you go home to your single apartment alone and the enemy wants you to get depressed and wants you to think,

Why did she get married?  I have been praying longer than her...She don't even go to church that often...

And then jealousy and envy start knocking at your door to come into your mind and have a foothold.  And I know it's the enemy because several hours before you were crying and really happy, but then you feel resentful and upset.  Don't be moved by that mess!  Rejoice with others and run your own race!  If you stay connected to God, He will make sure you make it to the end and get YOUR prize!