Heart Check

One of the many things I like about my job is always learning about new places and travel experiences. The other day a client asked if I would research a vacation for him and his friend. They wanted to see the Naqchu Horse Racing Festival in Tibet.

I had never heard of this and thought that was long way to travel to see a horse race. But he explained that the race was very unique because after running the majority of the desert race distance, the rider would need to know the exact time to dismount the horse and walk it to the finish line. Once at the finish line the horse’s heart rate would be tested and if it wasn’t at the right resting rate, the rider would be penalized with time added to his race.

How different that is from the races we are always participating in or seeing. Marathons, Nascar, Olympics and the good old Rat Race, just to name a few, are events that we go as hard and fast as we can to make sure we are first over the finish line. I remember when I ran a half marathon. It was exhausting and when I looked at all the runners as they were finishing and dropping on the ground I thought, this is fun? My body hurt everywhere and so did many of theirs. All to receive the prize.

How many times when we are racing for something do we check our heart? It may be wonderful in the worlds eyes that we won the race, but if our heart is not right have we really won what matters?

The real prize is Jesus! In Philippians 3:7-11 it says,

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

This life at times feels like a race. Sometimes we are winning and sometimes we are losing. I love how the bible always gives the encouragement we need and the words that help us check our heart to make sure we are running our race for the right reasons.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says,

” 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 author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Today was a good day for a heart check. Taking a moment to see why I do what I do and if what I’m doing is what God wants for me. He will be with us through this race and will walk us to finish line. I pray that my heart is right so that I will recognize the prize, Jesus, was with me the whole time.

My prayer

Father, thank you for walking with me every step of my journey here on earth. Help me to see that the real prize is a relationship with You. No matter the terrain I go through, You are there. You encourage me and give me strength for each day. You are my prize! I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Isaiah 43: 1-3

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”