The Race

On one particular fellowship meeting, leader bear, as usual, post a particular question to the members of the fellowship.

“If life is a race to Christ-likeness. And the track of the race is divided into ten sections. With marks from 1, 2, 3 and so on to 10. Whereby, each mark represents your current state of your spiritual life. And 10 mark the end of the track. A mark which represents sheer perfection. Faultless and sinless. Where do you think you are at?”

Ponder. Ponder. Ponder.

As each member shared their mark, the little mousie heart began to ponder. Oh dear, where am I now?

Definitely not 10 for sure. No one on the face of the earth had ever, ever, step foot on celebrated mark No. 10. Err… well… there is one actually. More than two thousand years ago, Jesus leaped to mark 10 the moment He was born.

7 or 8?? The little mousie gave herself a little no-no head shake. Don’t think this little mouse is worthy enough to receive such generous score. Still sinful. Still selfish. Still immature. There is still much room for improvement.

2 or 3 or 4 maybe?? Hmm… now the little mouse felt like she’s depriving herself. She’s not that evil. Not that wicked. Not that obnoxious.

Although still anxiously searching for her mark on the race, time never gave way. Soon, it was her turn to share.

Huh? Now? Me? Oh Lord, won’t You gave me a number? Silence. Or maybe the thumping of her heart overwhelmed the His gentle whisper.

“FIVE!” she blurted out. Just to be on the safe side, she thought. She let out a sigh…

Soon, the fellowship dismissed. Late at night, in her little solitary room she built in her mind, she posted the question to herself again. And this time, the answer was much clearer. It’s none other than the oh-so-famous number… one… Yeap, numero uno~

One because the goal is God, who is oh-so-perfect. One because there’s still a long way to run. One because of her long list of shortcomings and weakness.

Hey, wait a minute. Aren’t you depriving yourself? Ain’t that low self-esteem I sniffed? Aren’t you supposed to rate yourself aptly? Isn’t that ignorance towards Him?

Well, the truth is, the little mousie does not really know where she is on the track of life. Maybe she’s at mark 2 or 4 or 6 or 7 or whatever. Who knows? But her oblivious heart says she’ll still at mark 1.

One because she still want to continue to run. Faster each step. Harder each moment. Maybe because she knew herself a little more than any of you would. If she knew she is at 7 or 8 or 9, she might slow down.

“Besides, you have work so hard. Perfection is just a few steps away. Why not give yourself a little rest?” Her mousie heart will be easily tempted by such simple words. Pride will loom. Ignorance will manifest. Self sufficient will triumph. Who? God? I am god~!

From running to walking. From walking to sitting. From sitting to laying. Before long, you’ll slumber your way to the starting point of the race.

A brilliant start does not guarantee an applauded end.

Thus, one. Whether it’s 3 or 5 or 7 or 8, the little mouse will still see it as 1.

But won’t the little mouse feel dreadfully distant from God? Nay. He’s always running towards her.