One More Time for the Last Time—Maybe
Starting from Where You Are
My first high school track meet was a mix of excitement and embarrassment, a blend of euphoria and you wish you weren't there. It was the school's first attempt at a track team, and, frankly, the bar to make the team was set low. If you showed up for practice twice in a row, you were in! Our budget—well, what budget? We had second-hand uniforms that looked as tattered and worn as some of the hard-working teachers.
Two things stood out to me on that breezy spring day. First, there's not much substance to a track uniform. For a somewhat timid high schooler, it felt like I was wearing slightly more clothing than a red-neck skinny dipping. I felt vulnerable. Second, I noticed the starting blocks are removed when you run more than one lap around the track. There's no starting over; you just finish.
I've never forgotten how nearly naked I felt, yet how obligated I felt to finish. Any opportunity for a redo was removed!
That's how life often works: we frequently start over, but no starting blocks are set out for us every time we finish a lap, a portion, or a new challenge in the race.
We don't always get the luxury of starting fresh from zero. But even when we feel weary and exposed, we can make up our minds to press on and finish well.
The apostle Paul presented this idea beautifully in Philippians 3:13-14:
"I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Paul's words challenge us to embrace the gift of starting over, even when the conditions are less than ideal.
Forgetting the Past
Forgetting doesn't mean erasing memories or denying the impact of our experiences. It means releasing the hold that the past has on our present and future. My first race wasn't impressive. My lungs burned, my legs wobbled, and I came in well behind the leaders. But that race taught me something invaluable: finishing matters more than how you start.
Paul, too, had a past to forget. Once a persecutor of Christians, he could have been paralyzed by regret. Instead, he chose to focus on God's grace and the mission ahead of him.
Starting over spiritually doesn't require perfect conditions; it requires faith.
Looking Forward to What Lies Ahead
Track meets and life have this in common: the finish line isn't always visible when you're in the middle of the race. Starting over means fixing your eyes on the goal and trusting that it's worth the effort. For Paul, that goal was the "heavenly prize"—eternal life with Christ. It might mean rebuilding a relationship, pursuing a long-held dream, or rediscovering our purpose.
Starting over is an act of hope.
It's believing that God isn't finished with us yet. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning." Every sunrise is an invitation to try again.
Pressing On When You Feel Like Passing out
The middle of the race can be the hardest part. The adrenaline of the start has worn off, and the finish line still feels far away. In those moments, it's tempting to quit or wish to return to the starting blocks. But Paul's encouragement to "press on" reminds us that perseverance is a form of worship. Each step forward, no matter how small, is an act of trust in God's plan.
Hebrews 12:1-2 echoes this sentiment: "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Jesus, who endured the ultimate race of suffering and redemption, now stands at the finish line, cheering us on.
The Gift of Starting Over
Starting over isn't always a grand gesture. Sometimes, it's as simple as taking the next step. It's apologizing to someone, trying again another way, or daring to dream another day. It's acknowledging that while the starting blocks may be gone, the race isn't over.
That first track meet taught me to keep running, no matter how slow my pace or how far behind I felt.
In life, as in running, it's not about where you start or even how many times you fall. It's about getting up, pressing on, and finishing well.
So, one more time, for the last time—maybe—step into the race. Lace up your shoes, take a deep breath, and trust that the God who began a good work in you will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Yes, you have a race to run, and sometimes you must start from where you are. You might feel vulnerable, and to a certain extent, you are! But I also know—you've got this. And more importantly, God's got you!