Light for the JourneySample

Dashing in the Wrong Direction

Have you ever been to a kindergarten sports day? It’s a delightful circus of noise and chaos, bursting with fun. You can watch little cuties compete in various events, with mini cheerleaders who could rival any professional squad.

While scrolling through my phone, I stumbled upon a picture of my daughter, fully decked out in her sports day outfit, coordinated in green from head to toe, proudly representing her team. As I sat there reminiscing, I couldn’t help but remember the funniest race I’ve ever witnessed.

In the 4-year-old class, we had a tiny Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (yes, the famous Jamaican sprinter in toddler form), who, at the shout of “Go!”, took off at lightning speed… in the opposite direction. While the other kids were racing toward the finish line, this little dynamo was blazing her trail, completely backward. As I lay there laughing uncontrollably, a thought hit me hard: how many of us are running fast, but in the wrong direction?

We’re busy, active, always on the go, but sometimes we’re moving away from God rather than toward Him. We hustle, strive, sprint—only to realize we’re not even heading toward the finish line that matters.

Hebrews 12:1(NIV) reminds us:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.”

Notice this phrase, “the race marked out for us.” Not someone else’s race. Not the fastest or flashiest. Yours. So don’t just run hard; run right. Don’t follow the crowd. Stay on the path God has set specifically for you. And whatever you do, don’t let comparison trip you up. If sprinting isn’t your thing, don’t sign up for the 100-meter dash. Maybe you’re more of a long-distance runner, like Sifan Hassan, designed for endurance, not speed.

The point isn’t how fast you’re moving; it’s whether you’re heading in the right direction. Stay focused. Be faithful. And remember: the finish line is still ahead.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for setting a unique race before me. Please help me stop comparing my journey with others and focus on running the course you’ve prepared for me. Give me discernment to recognize when I’m off course and the courage to turn back when I’ve strayed. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your pace, and Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflection

1. Are there areas in your life where you might be moving fast, but in the wrong direction?

2. What distractions or comparisons do you need to “throw off” to stay focused on your God-given path?