THE RACE

Adrenaline pumping, drums beating, students singing, excitement and jubilation everywhere that is how you know inter-house sports was here!! It was Jss3 second terms and all three houses were on the field watching the races to see which house would emerge as the winners. The school had three teams, namely, the Naraguta house (Blue house), Agboola (yellow house) and the great Whirley (Red house and as you can guess, my house).

On this particular day, we were having the four by four relays. Although the race had gotten off to a beautiful start for everyone, things started turning a bit sore for Agboola and Whirley house somewhere in the middle.  Naraguta house was in the lead, followed by Agboola and then Whirley. I was so sad my team was coming last despite the best efforts of our guy. While I watched with all hope lost, something happened at the 50-meter dash that changed the entire event for all watching and me especially.

The Naraguta Guy saw a clean sweep ahead with the next runner almost 100 meters behind him and the next one about 150 meters away. The guy turned around and started taunting the other runners playfully, beckoning them to come to catch him. It was all fun and games until he turned around,tripped and fell on the ground.

The whole school froze in amazement because none of us were expecting it. That very instant, I turned around and looked at the other runners to see their reactions and my eyes caught sight of my teammate. I saw his eyes instantly light up with hope; the kind of hope that says ‘I can still win this'.  It seemed as if their energy was renewed as both runners (he and the guy in Agboola house) began to run with all their might.

I saw the ‘Naragutarians’ as we call them trying their best to get their runner to stand and complete the race as he could almost practically crawl to the finish line,but the runner would not stand (I believe he was ashamed and it was the shame that was keeping him down, not pain as he wasn't physically hurt but emotionally) before he could boost himself to stand, Agboola had come in first with Whirley jumping over Naraguta to take the second spot.

Talk about a game-changer and there you have it. How the game was transformed in a twinkle of an eye I still can't explain, however, while reminiscing about the event and discussing it with my care group members (bible study fellowship members), I heard God ask me to ‘imagine what would have happened if the other runners, especially the runner for Whirley had given up midway and said there is no use putting any effort in the race being that he was still so far off and it seemed as if the trophy was being swept away by the Naragutarian?  He would have lost out on the opportunity to come in second place simply because he gave up too soon, not knowing that a window of opportunity was about to open up to change his current status in the race. While some people may call it luck, one of my Pastor’s (Akila Yusuf) taught me to know that luck, is only preparation that meets opportunity just like what I had witnessed. I honestly do not know how sportsmen do it (especially runners); that they try to always finish the race they started even if they are losing. Perhaps it is because they believe the proverb that says ‘it ain't over until the fat lady sings'. Whatever the case may be, I truly respect their discipline and believe God wants us to exhibit such perseverance at every point in life as this life of ours is but a race.

I think that is why we hear the Apostle Paul say ‘do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win ‘(1^st Cor 9:24) and Solomon state that’ the fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time (Eccl 9:11). Solomon truly nailed it in that statement as was illustrated in my story above.

 Another thing I learned that day was not to celebrate a win before I cross the finish line, nor get distracted while running my race or exhibit overconfidence; because anything can happen. Little wonder, the author of Hebrews encourages us to ‘strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Heb 12:1 NLT)’.

The guy tripped because he had gotten carried away with his seeming win not knowing something would cause him to nose dive and end up coming last in the race. So also, in life, many things can easily distract us when we become overconfident and remove our gaze from God one of such things is overconfidence, spiritual arrogance, and so many other things. That is why Paul advises us that, ‘if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall (1st Corinthians 10:12)’.

So, what projects, dreams and visions have you almost given up on? I pray that you read this and receive a new determination not to give up, not to stop running the race no matter what you are seeing because the race is not finished. No matter what life is sending your way always remember that only two people have a true say in our lives, you and God. If we give up and decide to stop running, then we have decided our fate ourselves, but if we keep going, know that God will judge in your favor. Being that you are still alive, it means God is not done with you yet so REFUSE to QUIT!!! Because there is nothing worse than having someone believe in you and you not believing in yourself. God believes in you and so do I!!

I hope that no matter where you are in life, you will refuse to get distracted and enjoy the near win syndrome. Until you cross that finish line, you have not won. Even when or if you fall, REFUSE to stay down for long simply get up and finish your race because, in life, we will surely make mistakes that will set us off track a bit but what differentiates a winner from a loser is their ability to get up and continue. Stay in the race until the end so like Paul you can boldly say ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful' (2nd Timothy 4:7).