Today, a day of "laboring," was a racing day for me. I headed to Cary for the annual Race for Home. It's sponsored by the fabulous people of an organization called The Carying Place. Here they are after the race.
Kudos to them for helping 8 families every 4 months with temporary rent-free housing until they can learn how to budget and save. That's so awesome.
When I arrived at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, the parking lot was almost full.
I got in line for my race bib, which I was happy to see was very long -- the more the merrier!
The race start was staggered. Off we went like a herd of little munchkins to pursue our place of glory on the victory podium or fulfill our destiny as humble back-of-the-packers.
Didn't matter, as the cause was just. I've said it before -- I'm a huge fan of fundraisers.
Here are a couple of pictures of the course. I think they're pretty self-explanatory, including the photo where I'm trying to pass a mother and her little girl. Either they are really fast or I am really slow.
It was great running weather but that didn't keep me from sweating up a storm.
I managed to squeak out a decent time of 1:21 and came in second in the Old Fogies division.
Nice work, Olu. I'll catch you next time.
The author of Hebrews (who is Paul, of course -- there, I said it) uses the analogy of running to explain faithfulness. He says that maintaining a relationship with God is like running a difficult race: easier said than done. No race, least of all a figurative one, can be won by sitting on our easy chairs. This is a good reminder to me whenever I race. Being a follower of Jesus requires pretty much an all-out effort. Endurance is not optional.
The last word is from Hebrews:
We'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running -- and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins [mine include worry and procrastination. Ugh.]. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in (Heb. 12:1-2, MSG).