PERSONALLY SPEAKING
A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT
Interesting things happen as you grow older, one of which is that you slow down. Maybe not by choice, maybe not even consciously at first, but there comes a time when you must plan your day well and set a realistic pace in order to accomplish what needs to be done. And suppose everything doesn’t get done? Well, tomorrow is another day.
My husband, Gabriel, and I are learning to have more realistic expectations for ourselves as some of the activities that we thrived on in the past are not feasible anymore. We just don’t have the same level of energy. But are we achieving less? Truth be told, I believe that we are in the most productive season of our lives.
We often rely on the blessing from Deuteronomy 33:25: “As your days, so shall your strength be.” Each day, as we rely more on the Lord, place less emphasis on the superfluous, and are more deliberate about our goals, we are more satisfied with the results.
“Slow and steady wins the race” was the moral of Aesop’s Fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” But this advice doesn’t just apply to old age. In this fast-paced world, undue pressure to accomplish more in less time has created unrealistic expectations for many.
Parents raising families these days carry an enormous load. Motherhood has often been compared to managing a three-ringed circus or to a juggling act with all the balls in the air and the plates spinning simultaneously. Marie Alvero’s article on page 15 sheds some light on how modern moms can cope with the pressure by giving love priority over perfection.
Young people also have their share of stress in their studies, when choosing a life partner or entering the labor force, etc. All of us can learn to run the race with patience and endurance, not hounded by the expectations of others, but by what God expects of us. In his article, “The Marathon of Life,” Simon Bishop shares his experience of learning to run “life’s race” with Jesus as a personal trainer and coach.
We hope that this month’s issue of Activated will inspire you to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
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