For Better or For Worse

March 19, 2018

DAILY READING

John 19:30

This weekend’s reading: John 19:30

FIELD NOTES

On the cross, Jesus cries out, “It is finished!”

On Georgene Johnson’s 42nd birthday, she decided she was going look like a young healthy 42-year-old. She started exercising and running. She ran farther each day. Then, she decided to enter a 10K race (6.2 miles) in Cleveland.

On race day, she arrived early discovering hundreds of other runners already warming up. While beginning to warm up, she heard, “Move to the starting line.” She did. A gun sounded, and they were off. Like a huge wave, she felt the energy of hundreds of runners sweeping her up. She was in the race. She loved it!

After 4 miles, she noticed they were not turning back toward the finish line. So, she asked an official when they would begin the trip back. He answered, “Ma’am, you are running the Cleveland Marathon. The 10K began 30 minutes after the marathon.”

What would you have done? Georgene continued running. A reporter interviewed her after she finished the 26.2 miles. Georgene said, “This is not the race I trained for. This is not the race I entered. But for better or worse, this is the race that I found myself in and I finished it.”

Many say, “This is not the marriage I expected.” “This is not the job or career I trained for.” “This is not what I dream God wanted for me.” “This is not the…. (fill in the blank with your situation). For better or worse, I’m in it, and with God’s help I will finish.”

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• In what “races” in your past did you find yourself?
• How did you allow Christ to help you finish?
• In what “races” do you find yourself now?
• How are you allowing Christ to help you finish?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Answer the same two questions above as they relate to your family.

PRAYER GUIDE
Most loving gracious Lord, just as God was with you on the cross, I know you are with me today. Lord, I didn’t plan for this race and I’m not qualified. I need your help. So, Lord, help me finish this race in which I find myself. In your gracious name, I pray. Amen.