Scripture compares a healthy Christian life to running a race – one with twists in the course and hurdles along the way. In order to face adversity and finish the race strong, you need to be an efficient hurdler.
Hurdling is an exciting and challenging race, especially for the runner who understands the nature of the race, prepares mentally to maintain his speed to the finish line, and adjusts his stride over the barriers.
Do you?
Expect Hurdles
Hurdles themselves differentiate this event from a straight running race. Hurdlers undertake a foot race, but along the way they negotiate a series of obstacles, too.
Likewise, hurdles are an integral part of everyday life. Obstacles you face are not just a barrier to slow you down, an obstruction to stop you, or a stumbling block to avoid. “It’s my job to hurdle over obstacles,” says Lolo Jones, American record holder in the 60 meter hurdles and 11-time All American athlete. “Bad things are going to happen in your life, and those things can make you stronger if you just learn how to get over them.”
A spiritually healthy Christ-follower embraces obstacles as part of the race.
Train Mentally for Hurdles
Surprisingly, the object of the race is not simply to clear the hurdles. Runners know better. Rather, a hurdles event is actually a sprint race … with a few small barriers erected along the course.
That’s why successful hurdlers (and spiritually healthy Christ-followers) train mentally to maintain their speed throughout the race, even when clearing each hurdle. With this mindset, the runner keeps his eyes fixed on the finish line rather than the obstacles en route.
Train Technically for Hurdles
Hurdles require the runner to have a bit of extra technical skill in addition to speed. A typical beginning athlete runs up to the hurdle, slows down, jumps over the hurdle, and then starts running again. A resourceful, more experienced hurdler trains to overcome this “run-jump-run” instinct by developing a consistent stride pattern. Well-planned steps leading up to and between each barrier allow the runner to clear the hurdles as part of the sprinting process. Track coaches say the biggest factor in a hurdler’s success is developing a consistent stride pattern. Runners adjust their stride, consistently repeating new gait patterns over and over until they become natural.
When you face life’s hurdles, the temptation is to run from them, let them stop you, or even let them slow you down. The spiritually healthy Christ-follower learns to develop a new “stride pattern” – a habitual plan to effectively face and overcome challenges.
How is yours?
Efficient steps, both on the track and in life, are a winning strategy to run the race strong to the end.
