Keep Running

While I attended college, I lived on campus, which meant I was constantly and completely surrounded by people with whom I had much in common. Having a social life was never so easy. I had so many choices of people with whom I could chat, study, hang out, date, or call my friend. Some people like professors and fellow students were in my life because they had to be, but some like roommates, friends, and boyfriends were in my life because I wanted them to be. I had a lot of control over who became part of my life and whose lives I became part of.

At one point, I began to stuggle in my spritual walk with Christ. I still loved the Lord and I was still living “good,” but I didn’t feel His presence as I was used to feeling it and I began feeling empty. I was quick to ask God what was wrong, and why was I confused? Then God showed me the truth, as He always does when one of His children wants to be close to Him. I read Galatians 5:7: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” So I began to break down the verse and apply it to me…

• You were running a good race – Yes, I was. I had been growing closer to the Lord, I had been doing my best to be a light to others, I had been obedient to the Holy Spirit, and I had been going forward. But I wasn’t going anywhere anymore.
• Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? – Good question, and though it was difficult to admit, I knew the answer.

Who we surround ourselves with matters, doesn’t it? I realized then that no person was worth losing the race. It’s more than a sprint in high school. This race is what will take us to heaven. This race is one that requires perseverance, strength, and wisdom; and we can’t let anyone cut in on us. Life is too short and too important for us to stop running. There’s no time to stop on the sideline. We must go forward no matter what.