Tour de Lance

Congratulations to Lance Armstrong who won his 7th & last Le Tour de France last Sunday.

When asked if thoughts about his closest rival Jan Ulric kept him up at night, Lance answered, "No, but he sure made me wake up early."

Here is a man so focused & determined. His goal was to retire soon to be with his son & two daughters who he shared the podium with Him on that momentous day. They rejoiced in their father's victory as they wore cute yellow outfits that matched their father's yellow jersey.

Here is a man who knew he needed to be surrounded by a team of capable cyclists to win the race. Team Discovery Channel helped Lance Armstrong weave through the main pack, protect him at dangerous stages, maintain his lead & keep the rivals away. With his team Lance was able to endure long stages, conquer mountains & win the tour.

Here is a man who knew how to share his success. Awarded with him in Paris was a young man from his team. Also, team Discovery won best team. Some members of his team are thought to be possible future winners of the Tour. Lance knows that the team's success is his success & that ultimately his success is their success.

Like Lance, we too have been called to run a race. Lance did it to get a crown that will not last; "but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1Corinthians 9:25)

Like Lance who had a singular goal on the tour, I am refocusing on what I have to do. I take my cue from one who has fought the good fight, has finished the race & kept the faith - the apostle Paul. (2Timothy4:7) "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."(Philippians3:13-14)

Everyone who competes in games or raes goes into strict training to prepare to win. I do not want to run like a man running aimlessly; I do not want to fight like a man beating the air.(1Corinthians 9:25-26)

So what do I do? Thank God He left a training manual to get me through this race He put me on to be victorious. He're my revitalized training regimen: Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Thank you God for showing me how to endure. Thank you for an example like Lance Armstrong & team Discovery. Thank you for the example of Paul who ran the race. Thank you for Jesus who gave me and all of mankind the victory.