I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32
When we picked up our pre-race packets for the triathlon this past weekend, Chris and Derek studied the map for the bike course, which was displayed on an easel. I only gave it a glance, then told them I usually just follow and try to catch the person just ahead of me. That had always worked before….
Fast forward sixteen hours to race morning. After getting out of the pool, I ran to the transition area, mounted my bike and was soon speeding along on my way. I immediately zeroed in on the biker ahead of me. After buckling my feet into my shoes (which were clipped into the bike), I checked my watch then took a drink from my water bottle. Concentrating on my form and trying to increase my pedal repetitions per minute, I continued to focus on the biker just ahead.
Sometime later I realized I didn’t see any orange race cones on the street. I looked behind me to see racers in the distance zooming straight past where I had turned right! Then I realized the biker I was following had no number on his bike. He wasn’t even a racer! I did a quick U-turn and backtracked to my turn-off point. I continued the race having added more than two minutes to my bike time. (So much for my great plan of following the person ahead of me.)
I got it wrong in the triathlon, but I’m hoping to apply some principles from what I learned to avoid making the same mistake in life. How can I make sure I make it to the end of my life’s race on the right path? Psalm 119 is my answer.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
I must be diligent to seek the Lord daily through His Word to better know Him and his ways. Otherwise, it’s too easy to just follow the person ahead of me who seems to be headed to the same place I am. It’s too easy to be thrown off-track by frail humans who, even though they might have good intentions, are not dependable. It’s too easy to be preoccupied with my form and pace, mindlessly moving in a direction that gets me no closer to my goal.
So I pray…
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. (Psalm 119:35-37, 111-112)