Friday, October 12, 2012

Race: Progess Toward a Goal

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,
but only one receives the prize?
So run that you may obtain it.
1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV
 
 

It was a race against time. In a few short hours, he knew the cohort would surround them. It was dark and cooling off in the deserted olive grove. How often, they had walked here to escape the heat of the day, to talk over life. Tonight, he pushed towards the goal, along the way he told them a parable, one of his favorite ways of teasing them. To make them think, to challenge their status quo. To remind them that following was an adventure.

He spoke of the vinedresser, the vine and the vintage fruit. Reminding them that life apart from the vine was fruitless. But now, his heart raced, blood coursing through his veins in nervous expectation. Would he be able to finish the course set before him? The course his father imagined eons ago.
The faithful few were yawning, a stone’s throw away. A simple request: Watch with me. I need your prayers and your cheers to finish.

They nodded off. He remonstrated with them, please; I need to know I’m not alone. Won’t you press on toward the goal with me?

The third time the sweat on his brow, now, wiped on his sleeve; he was resolved. Panting with exhaustion, yet determined to go the final stretch. To be stretched beyond recognition.

A haunting rebuke, couldn’t you just give one hour?
 
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11 comments:

  1. Beautifully written. I love that verse and love how you painted a picture of the events surrounding it. *Stopped in from Five Minute Friday

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  2. Wow.........just one hour?! Jesus' comment asks it all? Sadly, I can't always say yes. Thank you for this piercing reminder, Kel.

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  3. You've painted a poignant word picture of our Savior's soul-deep heart cry. Oh, that I would be sensitive and awake to His peoples' needs. Thank you for this beautiful post.
    I'm visiting from FFF.

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  4. Let me not be caught slumbering..Yes Lord...I will run with you!

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  5. Thanks everyone for stopping by...I love these five minute Fridays ...they challenge me and I feel like some of the best stuff God pours out comes through in the squeeze of the time limit... Thanks be to Jesus who loves us enough to challenge us and correct us!

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  6. Beautiful reflection. I've never thought of those moments this way. Thank you.

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  7. Hey Kel, don't they remind you of our class and the 5-minute journalng sprints?!

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    1. Yes! I think quick writes help develop a more concise powerful style.

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  8. Beautiful illustration of our Savior's dedication to prayer and his mission. Thanks for sharing. (Visiting from Faith Filled Friday linkup.)

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