Racing Stripes, part 2

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31 NLT

Racing Stripes not only help the driver, but they also help the fans to identify each race car.  Your identity is everything: “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed,” (Proverbs 29:18 MSG).  When you don’t know your identity—your specific purpose—you may fall into the trap of trying to pursue someone else’s because it looks easier, better, more fun, etc.  But this only leads to frustration, failure, pain, and wasted time and energy.

Having your identity intact—knowing who you are and your purpose—is like having wings which allow you to not just run, but soar over the finish line and beyond!  Knowing what you are running toward, the reasons why you’re enduring the temporary pain pushes you to go the distance when you’ve got burning pain in your legs, helps you to forge ahead when your whole body wants to quit, and encourages you to keep going when everything is fighting against you.

You are adopted as a son or a daughter of the King.  You have been robed in Righteousness.  You are redeemed, called by name, and you are God’s (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5; Ps 45:9; Isaiah 61:10, 43:1).

Ask your Father to paint you in His racing stripes—His intended purpose for your life.  Soak in His love and enjoy being His: His son, His daughter.

©Heather Potts 2016

Racing Stripes

Growing up on the YMCA swim team meant swim meets every weekend and hundreds of bored kids waiting for their next heat. So we entertained ourselves… We gave ourselves racing stripes, writing “Eat My Wake” and other cheers on our legs with black magic marker.  Racing stripes were originally applied to race cars to help the driver realign his spun-out car.  During my semester of rest, God gave me several scriptures to realign my focus on Him when my mind felt like it was spinning out of control.  But my two main scriptures or racing stripes were Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and Hebrews 12:1-2, “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

Running is hard work!  My legs would hurt, my feet would ache, my arms would feel tired because I was often pushing one or both girls in our double stroller.  But through it all, I would strap on my racing stripes, keep my “finish line” fixed ever before me in my mind and push through.  Whether I was physically running a route, or just running to be closer to my God, to know my Father in a deeper, more intimate way, my racing stripes kept me focused, and allowed me to “throw off” everything that tried to stop me.

What are some of the things that are trying to stop you from pursuing your Father and His purposes for your life?  Strap on your racing stripes—your promises from Father God—and run hard, straight into His loving embrace!

© Heather Potts 2016