The following is from a post I made on the Yahoo Groups page about a month ago. It talked about the Catfish Triathlon in Harrisburg in July 2010. I need to revisit why I'm doing what I'm doing and give praise to the One who deserves it!
I will be racing this weekend – a small sprint triathlon close to home. This will be the second time wearing the FCA Endurance singlet and the first time representing the newly established huddle here in Central PA. I'm looking for any opportunities that God may place in front of me this weekend.
As the day approaches, I have just a FEW thoughts.
This is actually only my 4th triathlon. Back in July of this year, I competed in my 3rd triathlon (another sprint) and it was the 3rd time I competed in the same event – the Catfish Triathlon in Harrisburg.
I remember that after the 2009 race, I wondered `Could I have done more training? Could I have improved my time? Did I give it my best?' It was almost as though I failed in some way. I don't know why I felt this way because I improved my time from 2008.
This isn't an iron man and I'm not doing this for a living, but it is something I love to do and train for. I am certainly not going to make the podium - I am a "middle of the packer." Still, my reason for competing in the 2009 race seemed to have been replaced by my own selfish thoughts and pride.
I truly believe that we should all want to improve ourselves (physically, mentally, AND spiritually), but once it becomes a matter of pride and we forget the gifts we have been given and take them for granted, we have not improved, but rather, we have failed.
A thought before I talk about the 2010 Catfish this past July:
I think about a lady that works in the same organization as me. She is disabled, but she does "walk." For her to "walk" from the elevators to her desk (I would say about 100 feet) it takes about 5 minutes…literally.
Now, it's a known fact that this woman never calls in sick. She also makes it to work no matter what the weather is like – even rain or snow! When you talk to her, she is always so positive and I can't help to believe that the Lord is present in this woman's life; and that no matter what obstacles are in her way she is going to do her best to overcome them.
When I see her, I think about the fact that God has blessed all of us with gifts and we should be grateful for them and cherish the opportunities that we have to share those gifts.
So how did I take all of these thoughts into the Catfish this past July?
Just prior to the swim, as I was standing in the water, I looked up to heaven and gave Him thanks and asked that the other competitors would succeed and that God would look after them. I thanked God for giving me the ability to do what I can do and I realized that there are others in this world that would give anything just to walk (just like the lady at work). I thought to myself "I was so selfish last year just because the clock said something I wasn't happy about."
Guess what? My time was 4 seconds SLOWER than 2009. I didn't matter. This was the first time that I wore the colors of FCA Endurance. That, and the glances that others made to my racing shirt, was the most gratifying experience of the day.
As I prepare myself for the event this Saturday, I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
So it's not about me. It's not about the time on the clock. It's not about who's better than me. It's about God and the physical gifts He has blessed me with and the opportunity to share His love with others. My strength comes not from me, but from God. Although I'm not the fastest person out there, I am still blessed with the ability to swim, bike, and run - something the lady from my work can only do in her dreams.
Thank you God for giving me your blessings!
I pray that God watches over all of you that may be racing or just running/biking around your neighborhoods this weekend.
I will be racing this weekend – a small sprint triathlon close to home. This will be the second time wearing the FCA Endurance singlet and the first time representing the newly established huddle here in Central PA. I'm looking for any opportunities that God may place in front of me this weekend.
As the day approaches, I have just a FEW thoughts.
 |
| Me after the 2010 Catfish |
I remember that after the 2009 race, I wondered `Could I have done more training? Could I have improved my time? Did I give it my best?' It was almost as though I failed in some way. I don't know why I felt this way because I improved my time from 2008.
This isn't an iron man and I'm not doing this for a living, but it is something I love to do and train for. I am certainly not going to make the podium - I am a "middle of the packer." Still, my reason for competing in the 2009 race seemed to have been replaced by my own selfish thoughts and pride.
I truly believe that we should all want to improve ourselves (physically, mentally, AND spiritually), but once it becomes a matter of pride and we forget the gifts we have been given and take them for granted, we have not improved, but rather, we have failed.
A thought before I talk about the 2010 Catfish this past July:
I think about a lady that works in the same organization as me. She is disabled, but she does "walk." For her to "walk" from the elevators to her desk (I would say about 100 feet) it takes about 5 minutes…literally.
Now, it's a known fact that this woman never calls in sick. She also makes it to work no matter what the weather is like – even rain or snow! When you talk to her, she is always so positive and I can't help to believe that the Lord is present in this woman's life; and that no matter what obstacles are in her way she is going to do her best to overcome them.
When I see her, I think about the fact that God has blessed all of us with gifts and we should be grateful for them and cherish the opportunities that we have to share those gifts.
So how did I take all of these thoughts into the Catfish this past July?
Just prior to the swim, as I was standing in the water, I looked up to heaven and gave Him thanks and asked that the other competitors would succeed and that God would look after them. I thanked God for giving me the ability to do what I can do and I realized that there are others in this world that would give anything just to walk (just like the lady at work). I thought to myself "I was so selfish last year just because the clock said something I wasn't happy about."
Guess what? My time was 4 seconds SLOWER than 2009. I didn't matter. This was the first time that I wore the colors of FCA Endurance. That, and the glances that others made to my racing shirt, was the most gratifying experience of the day.
As I prepare myself for the event this Saturday, I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
So it's not about me. It's not about the time on the clock. It's not about who's better than me. It's about God and the physical gifts He has blessed me with and the opportunity to share His love with others. My strength comes not from me, but from God. Although I'm not the fastest person out there, I am still blessed with the ability to swim, bike, and run - something the lady from my work can only do in her dreams.
Thank you God for giving me your blessings!
I pray that God watches over all of you that may be racing or just running/biking around your neighborhoods this weekend.
Paul, great post. I have found myself not appreciating the fact of just being able to compete. Just being able to run and bike is a blessing from God. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteAmen Brother
Tim Stechschulte