One Pedal at a Time

We are all running a race, but not the kind you might imagine. We don’t have the same starting line, the same distance to go, or the same steps to take.

I snapped this photo of my work-out partner. Well, not really my work-out partner, but Norman is always in the fitness center on the stationary bicycle pedaling away when I arrive around 5 a.m. I am there to make my own body move on the elliptical equipment.

Norman is 84 but, unfortunately, because of Parkinson’s Disease, he appears much older. But Norman impresses me. He is doing what he can do. I think he must believe he’s not giving up until he’s taken up. I kid him about his name, Norman. My then boyfriend, Ronnie (later my husband) and I would belt out that 1961 song to our Uncle Norman (Ronnie’s dad’s brother). I sing it to Norman, my work out partner:

“Norman, ooh, ooh, ooh
Norman, hmm, hmm, hmm
Norman, Norman, my love
Joey asked me for a date, he wanted to take me out to skate.
But I told Joey, he would have to make arrangements with Norman.

Norman holds me close to him, Norman kisses me and then
Norman knows my heart belongs to him and him and only him,
Norman, Norman, my love.”

Norman just smiles and pedals on! Here’s the thing about our races and our finish lines. They are in different places; different terrain, different tracks. They can be anywhere at any time. We’re each running on our own one-lane path.

In God’s Kingdom, there’s no such thing as competition. It’s impossible. Because no one else ever has or ever will run your or my race. Your journey and my journey is about you and Jesus; me and Jesus. No one else.

God is not holding a stopwatch. He is not telling us to push harder. He is inviting us to move at the pace we were created for and to simply stay in step with Him. We will not fall behind. We will not move too slow. We simply keep our eyes off other runners and fix them on THE ONE who has invited us to this adventure with Him.

It isn’t about winning and losing, about comparing and competing. It is an intimate adventure with God. It isn’t about being the fastest but about being faithful. It’s not about beating anyone else but about matching the rhythm of our lives to the beating of God’s heart.

Don’t stop moving. Be a NORMAN and refuse to quit. Let’s take our next step today, then another one tomorrow. Let’s keep pressing forward. Let go of what’s behind. Be strong, brave, beautiful you all the way to the finish line.

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14