Finish the Race

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace…Acts 20:24.

A few years ago I decided to return to college to complete my degree!  My two oldest children had already graduated from college, and my youngest son was a sophomore the year I decided to return to the academic setting!

After encouraging my children to attend college, I knew it was time that I took this challenge myself!  I knew it was time to complete the degree that I had started before my children were born! 

After years of encouraging my children, they were now encouraging me to follow my dream!

Needless to say, I experienced many emotions as I began this adventure!  Excitement…Fear...Anxiousness…Doubt...were just a few of the many emotions I experienced as I began the process of enrolling for classes!

I have to confess I was afraid of failing!  Not only was I attending the same university as my children and their spouses had attended, but I also had been working at the university for the past twelve years when I was admitted as a student!

My professors had been my colleagues.  What if I didn't do well in their class?  I would not only be attending class as a full-time student, but would also be working full-time?  What if I couldn't keep up with the assignments?  What if I failed?

I remember driving to my first class.  This class would be meeting my Fine Arts requirement…it was Pottery Hand Building class, but I was so nervous…you would have thought I was taking an Advanced Calculus class!

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this class!  I enjoyed it so much that I took two more Wheeling Throwing classes while completing my degree.  I loved creating unique pieces of pottery!

Finishing my first class encouraged me as I started my second class with the same anxiousness!  I had to constantly remind myself to take it one class at a time…one semester at a time to keep from becoming overwhelmed with that goal that was set before me! 

After a long day of work, I would either be attending a class or going home and spending several hours on homework!  Since this was an accelerated program, we were required to cover a lot of material in a short period of time!

Though it was often intense, I enjoyed being in the classroom setting again.  I found out that I actually enjoyed learning new things in a stimulating environment with other students! 

Though each class required an intense amount of work, I received great satisfaction after completing each new assignment…finalizing each research paper…and submitting finished projects!  Yes, I often grew weary, but I desired to finish my degree!

I was often reminded of the following scripture…“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace”…Acts 20:24

Not only did I desire to finish this race, but I also desired to be a light to my classmates!  This particular degree-seeking program provided me an opportunity to spend the last eighteen months with the same group of individuals. 

Our cohort was made up of both males and females…all age groups…each of us in various stages of life…leaving me wondering if I would have anything in common with this group of individuals!

However, after meeting several times together…relationships were built…trust was established…and I found myself in a position to mentor a younger group of young ladies, encouraging them not only in their studies, but in life as well!

I grew quite fond of the individuals in my cohort over the last eighteen months of school!  We encouraged each other as we drew closer to the finish…each of us desiring to succeed!

Many of us received letters from our Dean, announcing that we had made the Dean’s List or High Dean’s List!  It was an encouragement to each of us to finish strong!

I’m happy to share that each of did finish this particular race!  We started the race together, and we crossed the finish line together!

And though I was extremely concerned when I started this journey, I’m happy to share that my advisor nominated me to speak at our graduation ceremony. 

Again, I felt many emotions…Nervousness…Fear…Lack of Confidence…as well as, Excitement…Humility…Blessed… as I considered this opportunity to share not only with my classmates, but families and friends who would also be attending the ceremony. 

Feeling extremely nervous the day of my graduation ceremony, I met up with my classmates the night of graduation…their encouraging words gave me the confidence to share the words that God had laid on my heart. 

Though I was honored that I was chosen to speak, I wanted to give credit to the group of individuals that had shared this journey with me!  I wanted to share how we had “done life together” the past eighteen months, which eventually brought us together one more time as we walked across stage and accepted our diplomas. 

Completing my degree is not the only task…the only race…that God has asked me to run.  Each day, He desires for me to be a light in this dark world…testifying to the good news of His grace!

I pray that I am running that race successfully too!  How I desire to the tangible touch of Jesus when I am at work…at church…running errands…with family and friends…always bringing glory to God’s name! 

I desire to finish the current race…the race of everyday life…strong!

Dear Heavenly Father…Thank you for your strength!  Thank you that whatever it is that you have called us to do…YOU will equip us!  Help each of us to run and finish the race you have asked us to run in a manner that is pleasing to you and always brings glory to your name!