Last week, I got to share a little over a week with family, friends, and loved ones in Dallas. I got to camp out in the back yard, meet a new four-legged sister of mine, explore the city of Fort Wort, go to my first NBA game, purchase a bunch of donations to bring back to the kids, bake almost everyday, and most memorable of all, participate in a 5k run and/or walk.
This was not like any other 5k, as it is known as “the happiest 5k on the planet!” The color run. About every km completed, volunteers would shoot you with colored dust. It kinda felt like a mix of baby powder, baking soda, and powdered sugar/flour. But, it didn’t taste so great!
A few friends and I piled into Dallas’ public transportation train, since we knew it would be easier than trying to park there, fighting with traffic, and covering the inside of our car with colorful powder after the run was over. We weren’t the only ones.
The first runners started at 8. The train we were on arrived at the station at 7:53. It was full of fellow participants. Men and women wearing their 5k shirts, kids with bandanas, peel and stick tattoos covering their arms and legs, and so many more with 4 digit race numbers pinned to their shirt. It was clear to see who was going to the 5k. We all followed the crowd and made it to the starting line.
After a lot of running, some walking, and experiencing several color clouds, we finished in 46(ish) minutes (according to my watch I wasn’t paying too close attention to!) Let’s just say, I couldn’t have made it over the finish line in that time without friends pushing me, encouraging me, and sticking with me. Booths were set up beyond the finish to grab water, protein snacks, a medal for each runner, a baggie of colored powder (to again cover ourselves with color), and a few volunteers with leaf blowers on the way out to help with the cleaning.
Slowly but surely, we hit the booths we wanted to visit, rehydrated, took too many selfies, and headed out to catch the train back home. Some volunteers and fellow “athletes” also joined us on this train. Seats were colored, sneaker tracks filled the aisle floor, and we were all worn out, hot, sore, and tired from the previous two hours.
As we got closer to our final stop, more and more people got off the train. Soon we were the only participants on, needing to go to almost the end of the track to get home. The fellow train riders noticed the colorful, tired, worn out state we were in and asked us where we came from, why are we in our current condition. They could see something different about us and were curious to know.
I entered the house, with my colorful socks and shoes left outside on the doorstep. As much fun as it was to cover myself in powder, a refreshing shower was calling my name. The dirt may be gone but the memories, laughter, and soreness sticks with me 5 days later. I am different because of that morning.
I got to thinking. As it was easy to see who was participating in the race, is it easy to see who is part of the church? Do they stick together, stand out in a crowd, and follow one another’s lead? When people see me who aren’t involved with the run (faith), will they notice something is different about me? My character? Actions? Words? Will they be curious to ask me where I’ve been? Will things be different because of my presence, whether it be some extra color on the train or an answered prayer? Will I be willing to assist another when they start doubting themselves and their abilities? Will I stop and grab the cup of water (living water) halfway through the run knowing that it will strengthen me for the second half? Will I be willing to fight through the hardships, the pain, the struggles, the lack of confidence in myself to reach the joy to come when I cross the finish line?
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
(har)Perseverance on a mission 