Good morning, Samara.
Rain is pounding the roof. And if you are going to be up in the Government Camp area near Mt. Hood to go snow tubing with that retreat gang, I’m afraid it will be raining there too—since it’s 50 degrees here. Sorry for my weather prediction.
Where is SON LODGE?
Lots on today’s agenda. Among other things, I’m hoping a guy who is coming to look at the wrecked Honda Accord will buy it. We’ll see.
Have a great day.
Love, Tua.
I was on the track team during my first couple years of high school. But I was never a star. I was never fast enough to be competition for the top sprinters. I wasn’t very good in the pole vault—never went beyond about 10 feet. I sure didn’t have the endurance to do the longer sprints or distance running. I did a little bit OK in the low hurdles—but never a winner. What I know and remember is that how comparatively good you are at race time doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that you strip yourself of all other baggage and non-necessities (no backpacks, scuba tanks, ski parkas, tight Levis, etc.)—and that you stay focused on the finish line—prepared to strain with all your might at the sound of the start gun—doing your absolute best to get there as fast as you possibly can—totally ignoring all the other competitors—paying no attention to that pretty girl standing beside the track—or admiring that cool ’40 Ford hot rod that just drove by. This is now! And this is race time!
That’s the flavor of advice Solomon is giving his son here. Indeed we’re all in a race. And however we run, there is a finish line. I’m reminded of similar advice found in Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (all those great “track star” heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11), let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”