Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Col. 1:10-11)

Watching those who compete in “ironman” competitions makes me dream of what I might have done if I only had been given the opportunity — and a different body! 

My dreams of iron man victories were revealed for their vanity when I watched the father and son team of Dick and Ricky Hoyt. The two have participated in more than 800 races together.  

What makes their story so special is that Ricky was born with cerebral palsy, and to compete he must be pulled, pushed, or carried by his father. 

The father provides what is necessary for his son to race even as the son competes with determination and fervor that exhausts him. He endures and finishes because he depends on his father’s power!

We should similarly engage in the race of faith our Heavenly Father puts before us, trusting that we will be strengthened by the power of his might. The desire to run with him still must be in us, but we can run with and for him because of the power in him. 

The grace we need from our Father in heaven is not only for the end of our days, but for every day. Depend upon him through obedience and prayer, confident that you will be strengthened by his might.

Prayer:

Father, I often tremble at the race of faith before me. Give me strength to run the race, confident in the power of your grace carrying me – all the way to the finish line!