Carry each other.

Hi from the South.

My brother is an amazing triathlete and my sister, quite the runner. I figured it was about time I too, got involved in athletic endeavors so this summer I signed up for my first 5k. Figured it would be fun seeing as a group of fellow friends from my church were also running.

We arrived downtown Grand Rapids. When it came time to line up for the "Get Mark, Get Set, Go," I discovered that these races are extremely organized. They had signs that were held so that one could start with runners who ran a similar pace. I don't typically keep any sort of track of how fast I run - think I'd depress myself with the time, ha ha. But I remembered my sister timing us earlier that summer and she said, "eh, good, we're around an 8:00 minute mile pace.” So what did I decide? I decided that hey, I'll just start with the 7:30/minute mile pacers so that I'm challenged. What a great idea that was! I took off running the race, surrounded by hundreds of people, who were much faster than I, or at the very least, were in much better shape than I.

I'll admit, some people passed me.

But there were times that I, when really lucky, managed to pass a few people. (Oh, and I have to mention that there was a group of girls all dressed up the same, yelling cheers as we ran past. It was great!)

About half-way through I realized I had been pushing myself a bit too hard. (I know, I know, it was only a 5k but I wasn't in all that good of shape to start with). Somehow I just kept running.

I crossed the finish line with an amazing time - for me that is. I somehow managed to run faster, stronger, and harder than ever before. And what's so amazing to me is that I felt like I was being carried. My speed and velocity were guided by, fed by, and led by my fellow runners. It was an energy I've never felt before. I didn't feel like I was running, I felt like I was floating. And when the moment came that I felt I couldn't run anymore...the energy and determination of all the other runners; the spirit of the race is what kept me pressing on.

I share all this because it's such a beautiful representation of our race with Christ.

We were made to live in community. We were made to run this race together, and in doing so we channel great amounts of energy and perseverance to each other. I'm not pointing out the literal racing part of the 5k. Who won is irrelevant to the ways of Christ. What is relevant is that we finish. That we all finish. In our lives we will be surrounded by a multitude of differences as well as commonalities...and somehow, in the beautiful workings of God, living in community allows us to carry each other in complete complement to each of our abilities.

I heard a message taught on this at church once. Loved it! I thought it was beautiful to see a representation of it all played out on a Saturday morning race.

Cheering you on as you run your race with Christ.

May you carry when you can carry and may you be carried when you need to be carried.

Kaylee