Grace Thomas
Back in 6th grade one of my really good friends convinced me to run cross country. I have absolutely no idea how she did it because I really disliked running, and still do. When I played soccer I would stand on the side of the field and try to get my parents to buy me hot chocolate instead of running for the ball. Running was pretty much my least favorite thing to do. The only reason I conceded without much argument is because my dad told me the furthest a junior high kid ran is 2 miles...I didn’t realize I was considered in junior high.
Anyway, I’ve run cross country with this friend for a grand total of five years. Over the years, while I’ve still disliked running, it became my “normal” to run every year. It became comfortable. The coaches and teammates became like a family to me. They were always there, encouraging me, pushing me, teaching me. They helped me become a better me. I was able to use the knowledge I gained, through my coaches assistance, to help other people become better runners.
This year I began to have a crisis of sorts. I couldn’t seem to figure out if I wanted to continue my normal or try something new. I wanted to have that comfort of doing what I knew, but some critical people I had met on the team were graduating and they were an important part of me running even though I didn’t enjoy the actual act. Let me be clear, the physical part of running can be painful and draining but that’s not the most difficult part for me. It’s the mental strength it takes to run and finish the race that gets me. You know you should continue when your body hurts but it’s tempting to give up and stop. You know you’re on a team and your run matters. Everyone needs you to continue for the good of the team, but it’s so much easier to just give up and stop, especially when your coach isn’t right next to you.
Now, let’s get some perspective here. My “crisis” isn’t really all that big when compared to the crisis the Apostles had. I mean, my crisis was simply if I wanted to continue a sport or not. The Apostles had to figure out whether or not they would drop everything to follow Jesus and continue to spread the Church after His death on earth. They travelled with him for three years. They became a team, each person was a valuable part of the group, and each was dependent on the other. I’m sure the travel was draining and difficult, but I imagine the persecution they suffered was harder. Did it ever go through their minds how much easier it would be to just quit? But Jesus was there encouraging them to continue on and letting them know how much they were needed. He was moving alongside them and helping them understand what they had to do and how to do it.
But then, suddenly, Jesus was gone. The person keeping them all together, their teacher, wasn’t helping them anymore. He wasn’t there encouraging them to continue anymore. They didn’t have direction anymore. And to make matters worse, their life was suddenly on the line. They could die. At that moment, they were probably terrified. Jesus wanted them to make disciples of all the nations, but they didn’t have Him to lead them anymore, and they certainly couldn’t speak all the languages they had to. I’m sure the Apostles were all terrified. People wanted to kill them, and Jesus wanted them to go love those people?
So, the Apostles went into hiding. They hid in the upper room on Pentecost, and that’s where God answered their prayers. The Holy Spirit descended upon them, just like Jesus had promised, in tongues of fire. The Apostles were suddenly filled with new courage and zeal.
At Pentecost each year, we’re reminded that the Apostles were just like the rest of us. They struggled in their trust of Jesus, especially at the difficult moments. They were afraid to be a witness just like we are sometimes. And then we remember, God always keeps His promises. He will keep you on the right path even if it’s not the easy one. God is the ultimate coach. He is always there, encouraging you, teaching you, and showing you the way. You just have to open up to His presence.
Your Sister in Christ,
Grace Thomas
Anyway, I’ve run cross country with this friend for a grand total of five years. Over the years, while I’ve still disliked running, it became my “normal” to run every year. It became comfortable. The coaches and teammates became like a family to me. They were always there, encouraging me, pushing me, teaching me. They helped me become a better me. I was able to use the knowledge I gained, through my coaches assistance, to help other people become better runners.
This year I began to have a crisis of sorts. I couldn’t seem to figure out if I wanted to continue my normal or try something new. I wanted to have that comfort of doing what I knew, but some critical people I had met on the team were graduating and they were an important part of me running even though I didn’t enjoy the actual act. Let me be clear, the physical part of running can be painful and draining but that’s not the most difficult part for me. It’s the mental strength it takes to run and finish the race that gets me. You know you should continue when your body hurts but it’s tempting to give up and stop. You know you’re on a team and your run matters. Everyone needs you to continue for the good of the team, but it’s so much easier to just give up and stop, especially when your coach isn’t right next to you.
Now, let’s get some perspective here. My “crisis” isn’t really all that big when compared to the crisis the Apostles had. I mean, my crisis was simply if I wanted to continue a sport or not. The Apostles had to figure out whether or not they would drop everything to follow Jesus and continue to spread the Church after His death on earth. They travelled with him for three years. They became a team, each person was a valuable part of the group, and each was dependent on the other. I’m sure the travel was draining and difficult, but I imagine the persecution they suffered was harder. Did it ever go through their minds how much easier it would be to just quit? But Jesus was there encouraging them to continue on and letting them know how much they were needed. He was moving alongside them and helping them understand what they had to do and how to do it.
But then, suddenly, Jesus was gone. The person keeping them all together, their teacher, wasn’t helping them anymore. He wasn’t there encouraging them to continue anymore. They didn’t have direction anymore. And to make matters worse, their life was suddenly on the line. They could die. At that moment, they were probably terrified. Jesus wanted them to make disciples of all the nations, but they didn’t have Him to lead them anymore, and they certainly couldn’t speak all the languages they had to. I’m sure the Apostles were all terrified. People wanted to kill them, and Jesus wanted them to go love those people?
So, the Apostles went into hiding. They hid in the upper room on Pentecost, and that’s where God answered their prayers. The Holy Spirit descended upon them, just like Jesus had promised, in tongues of fire. The Apostles were suddenly filled with new courage and zeal.
At Pentecost each year, we’re reminded that the Apostles were just like the rest of us. They struggled in their trust of Jesus, especially at the difficult moments. They were afraid to be a witness just like we are sometimes. And then we remember, God always keeps His promises. He will keep you on the right path even if it’s not the easy one. God is the ultimate coach. He is always there, encouraging you, teaching you, and showing you the way. You just have to open up to His presence.
Your Sister in Christ,
Grace Thomas