No, for the vast majority of people, life is a long, long, long series of hurdles. Hurdles of events, hurdles of work challenges, hurdles of parenting challenges, hurdles of health challenges, hurdles of relationship challenges.....hurdles galore!
My dad, at one time, held state records for track in high school. One of his events was hurdle jumping. I am proud of this knowledge, but even today, some forty plus years after discovering his accomplishments I still cannot wrap my mind around anyone liking that challenge enough to compete in it!
I despised hurdle jumping in high school PE class...even the lowest of the lowest hurdles! Today, as much as my personality thrives in overcoming challenges, I do NOT seek out hurdles in my life. Trust me, they have found me time and time again..... I have no need to seek them out.... and I certainly have no "love lost" for them!
Nevertheless, they do come.
I have found the hardest hurdles are the relationship hurdles. I am a giving person at my core. I attribute this to my parents' example, but God took their example, which ultimately came from Jesus' example, and cultivated beyond anything I could ever take credit for. I will throw myself in front of a bus as I push another out of its path time and time again. Some have assessed me as "crazy" and downright reckless. I usually have this split second knowledge that the pain is going to be intimately profound and oh-so costly.....but love is just that, is it not? As a result, I have spent much time being patched up in God's ER and having numerous "consultations" with the Doctor. Let's just say I am eternally thankful for His skills.
As you assess today's hurdles, perhaps you are feeling defeated.... you gave your everything, but landed on the asphalt with bloodied knees and elbows....or worse.
I can relate....truly.
Can I offer you some encouragement from one "hurdle jumper in Christ" to another? Stare down the view of hurdles in your current line of sight.... go deep to your core.... find God.... He is there!.... and know that it's not your ability....it's His....whatever your personal "hurdle record" is currently or if you are just beginning to learn hurdling.... know that you can "best it"..... blood, sweat, TEARS, and all.... give it your best..... and if you fall....get up.....take a trip to God's ER if you must....but DO NOT leave life's track!
What keeps me learning how to "perfect" my hurdling is my love for Him..... His love for me. No one .....no one... loves me like Him.
These two things I desire above all things:
that I love Him with my everything.....
and that my life is a testament to who HE IS!
For these two reasons, you'll find me on life's track....
hurdling away!
Blessings always!
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