Slow and steady wins the race

At a birthday party this weekend my daughter was among six girls of all ages who gathered around for the next game. Their goal was to be the first one to thread several small beads onto a piece of string. Fingers flew. Some started with success then met frustration because of a run in with a frayed end on their string or an irregular plastic bead that kept rejecting the imposing cord. Frustratingly, other girls started out by dropping beads in their bustle of excitement but later fell into a momentum of pick up, thread through, pick up, thread through, pick up, thread through. A caring mommy nearby cheered, "Slow and steady wins the race, girls!" The tension was building. It was anyone's game.

Finally squeals rang out when the first string was raised declaring victory. Shortly after, the next one rose, and the next until all the girls had successfully reached the desired end. Faces once full of concentration transformed to smiles for the crowd while a half dozen rainbowed snakes dangled in the air. All were happy because in this case they all became winners. Each girl had her prize in hand-a new backpack zipper pull, a cell phone or Nintendo DS charm, a gift for Grammy, or perhaps a new bracelet or necklace.

Such is the life of a believer. Steady plodding through the Christian life will lead to a victorious end. The apostle Paul said that he hadn't arrived yet (already obtained perfection or "completeness") but would press on in order to receive that which Jesus had laid hold for him (see Philippians 3: 12-15). Oh, the obstacles will come. The tripping up along the way due to our human frailties will slow us down at times, but we get up again and get back in the race. Don't linger in the past (v. 13) but press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (v. 14). Someday we will all raise the victory flag and look into the approving eyes of our audience - the Lord.