Our Christian Perspective
Do You Have A Hurdlers Mentality When Confronted
By Life's Obstacles?
By Brother James
Life has its challenges, pitfalls, and obstacles. But, we can be overcomers if we have faith, and trust in the Lord.
When I think about the obstacles I have overcome in my life, with the Lord’s guidance, I am reminded of the track and field event, the 100 yard hurdles.
In this event, sprinters must successfully race down a track and leap over ten evenly spaced hurdles. Each hurdle presents its own form of an obstacle as these hurdles are about three feet high.
Interestingingly, the hurdler is not penalized for knocking down a hurdle as long as he/she did not do it intentionally. Do you find yourself confronted with multiple hurdles you must overcome? Do you face these hurdles one at a time, or, do you try to conquer them in one fell swoop? Life can be a race and that race may have numerous obstacles that must be overcome.
Getting back to my track and field analogy, these ten hurdles maybe representative of the following ten issues we often face in life. We might be confronted daily with spiritual issues or hurdles, and other issues with our self-esteem, relationships (with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), finances, health and health care, aging, fear of violent crime, race relations, -global warming, and terrorism!
These hurdles all stem from our concern or worry about our future. Have you heard the oft quoted adage, “If you pray do not worry, and if you worry do not pray?”
So, how do successful hurdlers run the good race to reach the finish line overcoming all the obstacles set in their path?
Successful hurdlers must always be focused! To compete in the hurdles event the participants must have a dual focus. First, they must focus on overcoming each hurdle one at a time. Second, they must focus on the individual accomplishment of overcoming each hurdle. What I mean to imply is if there are ten hurdles the hurdler must focus on one down, nine to go, two down, and eight to go... etc! That is the only way to overcoming any and all obstacles encountered in life.
Hurdlers then must always find themselves looking forward as we must do in life keeping our eye on the prize! But, a hurdler must briefly reminisce or reflect back to the hurdle they just got over. Can you envision a hurdler keenly looking forward thinking about the prize ahead but simultaneously thinking as they get over each hurdle, the Lord just blessed me to get over that hurdle so if he got me over that hurdle he will surely help me get over all the hurdles remaining ahead!
Yes, we to need to employ this technique in life. We should always ask God to aid us in our quest to reach the finish line in life that leads to heaven.
So, I implore you, the next time you find yourself in a maze, a quandary or going through some obstacles, some hurdles in life, just reflect back to a similar incident in life and remember, “How I Got Over.”
God will surely show you the way to be an overcomer!
The writer of Hebrews, profoundly, informs us on this issue when he wrote, “1 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).”
Please stay blessed and if you live in, or are visiting the Detroit metropolitan area, please come and fellowship with Resurrection Mission Baptist Church. We would love to see you and know we would be blessed by your presence!
Unpublished Materials Copyright © 2013 Henry James