"Turn"

We live in Parker County, Texas,

And at summer’s end in fall,

They have a big ranch rodeo,

We look forward to it, y’all.

And one event they have each year,

Is a one-on-one horse race,

Matching ‘em a quarter mile,

And timing ‘em to place.

One feller starts at the finish line,

On his horse leads ‘em back,

To the end where they’ll begin the run,

The start line of the track.

They face toward that old flagman,

And when he drops his flag,

They turn and run the other way,

And best to never lag.

‘Cause when those horses turn and run,

They cannot hesitate,

Sometimes when one turns slower,

They’re beat out of the gate.

Never knew how so strategic,

It was to make the turn,

Just shows there is a lot to know,

And even more to learn.

And when you read the Good Book,

It often says that we,

Are in life’s race a-running,

Until we die, you see.

But crucial to the winning,

Is how strong is our turn,

From sin to follow Jesus,

And selfish bridges burn.

Life is not a quarter mile,

More like a marathon,

But everyone who runs and wins,

Knows before they’re done,

Without the right direction,

No matter if you’re fast,

The gallop and the quickness,

Won’t help unless you cast,

The wrong way far behind you,

And turn to Him instead,

And then all of your running,

Will honor Christ who said,

He was sure the Author,

And Finisher of faith,

And He would help our running,

If in trust we make,

The turn to Him who offers,

Life and health and peace,

And when we cross the finish line,

Form earth He will release.

“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

God calls us to run the race of life with endurance and stay focused on Jesus. Easier said than done, don’t you think? Why? Because life is hard to bear and because it is filled with distractions. Intentionality is required, but ultimately the grace to turn and run, and then keep on running in the right direction depend upon the empowerment of daily grace. The good news is that grace comes with each new sunrise to give us exactly what we need as we go. It’s really a matter of positioning ourselves with humility and surrender to receive what God offers us. Laying aside the weights that easily trip us up is also done as He empowers us, but will only happen when we want it to. In other words, it’s all up to God but passivity is not the answer. Engagement with what God provides on a daily basis enable us to run and finish strong. This is not the impossible dream, but is within the reach of every believer.

Lord, help us run with endurance and keep our focus on You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, timcox.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.