Have you ever watched a horse race?
The movie, Dreamer, from a few years back, inspired me to learn more about these races and the fascinating animals that run in them.
I think race horses and I might be a little alike.
Not because we both are fast, because I’m most certainly not. But because we both can end up running off course when we aren’t focused.
My eyes, like some horses’, tend to stray. I’ve been known to pay more attention to what someone next to me is doing on her journey, than to where God might be leading me on my divinely-created path.
“If she’s doing that, well, maybe I should.”
“It seems to be working for her. I think I’ll try that.”
“I wish I was as successful as she is.”
To keep horses from paying attention to one next to them, and to keep them from following another horse in a race, some are fitted with blinders which allow them to only see ahead. The blinders block their side views.
Maybe I need blinders too. To keep my eyes focused on what’s ahead, rather than what is behind or to my side.
“Doing what God requires is a sign of superior wisdom. God requires that you work hard at your calling without worrying about what anyone else is doing.” –Martin Luther
Hmmm… to work hard at my calling without worrying about what anyone else is doing.
We are each called to do something. And, really, it’s silly for me, or you, to compare what we are called to do, to what someone else is called to do.
They, more than likely, aren’t going to be the same.
You may be called to write, as I am. But you may be called to write to encourage mamas of little ones, and I may be called to encourage women in general.
Or you may be called to teach small children. Your neighbor may be called to teach adults.
Or one more… you may be called to stay home and raise your family, where your friend may be called to work outside the home.
We aren’t called to follow another’s calling. We are called to follow God’s calling.
When we put our focus on someone or something else other than God, we can be steered down a path we were never meant to travel. Before we know it, we’re detoured and we’ve lost our way.
Sound familiar? It does to me.
We learn (some of us more than once) we should have stayed on our own divinely-created path in the first place.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. -Hebrews 12:1-2
My prayer for each of us today is to run with perseverance our own personal race, as if we have blinders on. May we not look to the left, or to the right to what our sister’s path may be, but to fix our eyes on Jesus who is leading us on our own unique, God-given path.
Stay focused on what God has called you to do.
Run with blinders on.
And as you do, encourage your sister on her God-given journey!
Blessings,
Julie
Encouraging women to be all God has designed them to be on this Woman to Woman Wednesday #W2W. Join in the conversation below and share your encouraging thoughts to bless another on her journey. So thankful for you today! God bless you on your journey!
Linking with Coffee For Your Heart and Woman2Woman.
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Julie, thank you for stopping by my blog. Your words are very encouraging! I especially like the quote by Martin Luther. God’s been speaking the same thing to my heart, to simply obey and do what He wants me to do without worrying about what others are doing and whether or not I see any success or fruits of my labor. As you wrote, all we have to do is run our own race with one solitary focus, Jesus. The rest is up to God. Blessings to you!
Hi Angela! Welcome! Yes, that’s really all we have to do, isn’t it?? Then I wonder why I sometimes let that be so hard. Let’s keep encouraging each other in this since God is speaking the same to us both! Keep your eyes on Him, new friend! 🙂 Blessings!
Isn’t that the truth?! I worry WAY too much about the other horses in the race ;). Thank you for the reminder that I need to put my blinders on and just run the course God has given to me pursue. I think maybe the trap of feeling called to follow another is how we end up with dysfunctional churches. We’re not racing each other, we’re racing towards Jesus.
Amen, Anita! You wrote it beautifully… “we’re not racing each other, we’re racing towards Jesus!” Thank you for sharing that piece of wisdom to complete this post. You’re a blessing, friend!
Enjoyed your encouragement this morning. It’s very easy for me to be distracted. Currently, I’m “sort of evaluating” an activity on my calendar. My husband says it’s distracting me from my writing. (Wow … ) but I don’t want to let go of it. I need to clarify my calling. Thanks, Julie.
Dianne, I think that’s a good thing… stepping back to take a look at life and to clarify our calling. That’s a post in itself! Praying God clarifies it for you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here and for pointing us in this direction! Have a beautiful day!
We are called to follow God’s calling.
Oh I so need to hear this, probably on a daily basis!
I need this reminder daily, too, Sarah. I think that post was more for me than anyone. 🙂 Praying God blesses you with His presence today. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi, Julie- Love this so much! I really like that version of Hebrews 12:1-2 especially the part at the end where it says Jesus is the pioneer of our faith, it goes right along with a thought I keep having about our lives being an adventure with Jesus. 🙂
Hi Tobi! I appreciate that version also. Yes, when we truly follow Jesus, our lives become an adventure. An exciting and blessed adventure! I love that! Thank you for sharing it. It’ll be on my mind throughout my day. Have a blessed Sunday!