At one point in our lives we have all participated in a race, whether that was in school or just for fun. One of the important parts of the race is the beginning. When the professionals do it, their coaches, fans, and commentators always look out in anticipation at how those athletes will start the race. For many athletes, how you start the race will give you a better understanding of how the race might end. For Christians, how we start our relationship with God is important too.

In Romans 3:23, Paul has given us a clear understanding of where we all begin, “for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even before that, God illustrated this in Genesis when he explained Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. So in the beginning it doesn’t look like we have started the race off very well, but that’s okay. God has equipped us with His Word to better understand how to run the race and follow Him. He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and to help us complete the race. If you find yourself stumbling in the beginning, don’t worry! God is their right next to you to help you finish, because in the end He wants us all to finish.

Prayer:
Abba Father, thank you for being next to me throughout my race. Thank you for showing me my beginnings so that I may see how far I’ve come and how much more I have to go. Thank you for your son Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins to help me with my race. Give me strength to keep in stride with you and your way Father.