Run Forrest Run
When I first heard the story of Eliud Kipchoge, I was challenged like never before. If you don’t know who he is, he set the world record for being the first person to run a marathon under 2 hours. He did so with a 41-team pacesetting crew and a laser-beaming pace car.
The inspiration that comes from this story is realizing how important it is to consider the people you do life with…the team you have around you. The people who are pushing you, encouraging you, empowering you…
But when I first heard this story, my pastor Channock Banet said, “Why is it that when we hear inspiring stories like this, we always picture ourselves as Eliud Kipchoge? Why do we keep picturing ourselves as the one that always gets the victory? That we’re the one it’s all about? How can I get people around me to help accomplish my victories, my goals, and my accomplishments?”
Now, none of those things are bad. In fact, it’s super important to have the right people around you. The challenge comes however, as you remove yourself from the position of Eliud and put yourself in the place of the 41-team pacesetting crew. Our thinking then shifts and instead of trying to make ourselves look good, we try to make everyone around us look good. Talk about a Kingdom principle!
In our culture today, this shift must happen. In order to succeed, we must exalt others. In the Kingdom of God, the way up is down. We have to understand that it’s not about us. WE ARE THE PACESETTERS. It’s our job to encourage, uplift, and empower everyone around us because there is no gift or position in the Kingdom of God that is insignificant.
Jesus set the pace to empower us to set the pace. This past weekend at Cornerstone Church, I preached a sermon around this idea - to be a pacesetter, we have to practice our pace. How do you practice your pace?
Power - you have to know who you are. That you’re amazing because God didn’t want His creation to experience life without you. This God given power gives you confidence, not to serve yourself but to serve others. Walk in the power you already possess to empower every person you meet!
Attitude - you have to choose to be thankful. And not just during the month of November when we're constantly reminded about it. It’s hard to gripe and be grateful at the same time. It’s easy to be negative so you’ll have to start training your brain to think positive. Make a decision every morning that the day is going to be great.
Consistent - you have to decide to be a consistent person in all aspects of your life. Sometimes you’ll have to do things even when you don’t want to. It’s not being fake, it’s being faithful. Faithfulness is being consistent. Consistently challenge yourself to be a better spouse, parent, employee, etc. You write your legacy daily.
Excitement - you have to choose joy in every season. You have to love life. You have to laugh, even at yourself. You have to celebrate … your season, your process, and especially the success of others. Be the person that lights a room up because you choose to bring excitement everywhere you go.
To run your race well, you have to pace yourself well.