I don’t do this very often—share experiences from my life in this blog.  The reason is that I want what I write here to be “God” focused, not “me” focused.  Some things stood out in my mind about an experience this morning, though, and I thought I’d write them out and share them here.

I have never before today participated in an organized run (or primarily “walk” in my case).  However, we were told about a 5k “color run”, and it sounded fun, so my daughter signed us up— “us” being her, me, and my 5-year-old granddaughter. 

Disclaimer:  Should I ever do it again; I hope to remember to keep my mouth closed when walking through clouds of colored chalk!

By the end of the “run”, my daughter had a lot more colors on her face and clothes than I did; however, all three of us were quite colorful!  I couldn’t help but think while looking at the colors on her face about our lives being canvases, our journey and experiences along the path throwing colors, designing our characters and defining us by our responses.

As I considered some of the faces I saw today, I wondered about those whose countenances, by the line of their lips or the set of their jaws, seemed to portray anger.  I am quite sensitive to anger because that is something I became all too familiar with in the past.  I also saw expressions of joy and laughter, and blockades of defensiveness.  I tend to (attempt to, anyway) read people’s expressions so that I will know how to gage my responses to them.

On the other hand, my desire is to let the hope I have in Jesus and the promises found in God’s Word paint the canvas of my face with joy and the glory found in beholding Him.  The apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian church, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Everyone is born with unique personal and physical characteristics but the focus of our lives will add the dimension and shading that most accurately defines us— “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

I’m pretty sure that I was the oldest person in the “color run” (I live with my daughter and granddaughter on a military base so that is easy to figure out).  Most people actually ran the race, though I mostly walked (and was one of the last to cross the finish line).  But I did cross the finish line!  It wasn’t difficult because I am used to walking this distance around the base.

The writer of Hebrews compares living our lives as Christians to running a race: “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1, 2).

I wonder if we build spiritual strength through the spiritual training we get each day—if we are bolstering our endurance for the course ahead by “looking unto Jesus” through Bible study, prayer, and Christ-centered fellowship with other believers?  I’m quite sure the answer is a resounding “Yes!”

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).  And Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome, “…Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:21).

God is an artisan, the master Designer of our lives—it is He who chose our DNA and formed us in our mother’s womb.  Our life experiences often guide us and form us in even more unique ways, putting pressure on areas of lives, producing new dimensions or grriaeater usefulness.  Do you think it is possible to put our hands into the Master’s hands as he is shaping us through the sunlight and the shadows, over smooth pathways or rocky crags, across tranquil waters or down the turbulent rapids of life? …adding our touch to the vessel of our lives by the responses we make to the Potter’s design?  Perhaps our responses to the Creator determine whether we will be vessels for honor or dishonor…

And this is my desire—to bring honor to name of my Lord, Jesus Christ.