I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

It seems like I took a blink, and now it’s October.

Seriously, this year has FLOWN by, and I know that I’m not the only one who thinks that.  2013 has been amazing.  God has moved overwhelmingly beyond our expectations, and it’s awesome to continue to be closer to what He has planned for my life.

And while it’s great that God has done so many awesome things thus far in 2013, I’m excited that there’s still some time left.  We’re coming up on in the 4th quarter of the year, and while it’s easy to get overwhelmed about what God has YET to do that you’re believing Him for, I encourage you to remember that there’s still time left.

As a track and field athlete, I ran the 400m Dash.  It wasn’t my favorite race physically, but I loved the mental challenge.  One of the mental challenges that sprinters have to overcome with the 400m is the “monkey” that can hop on your back after the first 200m.  You’re ready for the race to be over, but there’s still time left- and if you allow the “monkey” to get you- you can lose the race.  You really have to fight and press through those next 100m so that you can finish your final 100m strong.

This year has been like that for me.  The first 200m, I came out like a champ.  I was excited and passionate, full of resolutions and lists of what I was believing God for.  My momentum slowed a little bit during the second 200m, but I was still focused.  This third 300m, though- was just absolutely full of life changes and the monkey almost got me.  I really had to press my way to get to this point.

Here am I in the final stretch.  Three quarters down, or 300m completed.  I’ve shaken the monkey off, and now it’s time to not just finish the race, but finish the race well. It’s a challenge because while I know there are parts of this race that I’m ready to be done with, I know that the race isn’t over.  I have to endure until the end.  But while I have to endure, I can also be excited that God is still working.  A late win is still a win.  And while I may not have run the entire race well, it will be completed.

I have to fight the urge to put all of my beliefs and expectations into next year, or the next race.  Doing so can allow me to ignore the amazing amount of possibility that is present.  Even worse, moving my beliefs and expectations into next year and limit how I experience God because I’m limiting how I believe and expect Him to work in what’s left of this year.  I truly want to be able to say that the scripture referenced above from 2 Timothy 4:7 is my testimony for this year.

Three quarters are down, but there’s still time left!  Don’t give up in the 4th quarter!  Don’t lose the race in the last 100m!  Finish, and finish well!

Be encouraged! Peace and Blessings.