4th Quarter

Many years ago, more like 18 years ago (wow), I was in high school. During my time on the track team, we would do an activity that I absolutely hated at the end of every practice; we ran 150s. Our coach would have us start on the last 150 yards of the track and make us run our hardest at least 5 or 6 times. The reasoning for this was to prepare us for the end of the race. Whether we were running a 200, 400, or even 300 hurdles, the 150 mark would trigger us to go hard. While I absolutely hated running 150s, it prepared us for the end goal.

We are entering into the 4^th quarter of the year. We are a little past the 150 mark, but we still have time to give our best as we head towards the end of the year. How we finish the end of the year will determine how we begin the next. We want to go hard!

We want to give it our best shot. We want to see results! We want to prepare for our next season!

Throughout the year I have faced some very interesting mountains and even trampled in the valley for a few. I’ve held my assignment high and risked dropping it a few times. Even amid all of that, I’ve entered one of the greatest seasons of my life. A season that gave me snapshots of my future. A season that sent me God's special gift for me! A season that pushed me into purpose!

We tend to relax when things feel great in life. We ride the wave so to speak. I got a little lax in my decisions, became carefree, let time get away from me. Yesterday I had a revelation. God quickly reminded me that I have work to do and if I’m not mindful of that, my life can take an unexpected detour.

I want to encourage you all to remember the end of the race. The last few yards are just as important as the beginning yards. Yes, we can have a great start, but how are we ending the race? Don’t relax. We have to keep running.

How are you preparing for the end of this year’s race? Are you kicking into high gear? Are you losing energy, motivation, consistency? Keep yourself connecting to God. He will sustain you. He will give you strength. He will help you endure. It’s very important to give it your all through the finish line. I can hear my coach yelling now, “Finish through!” Keep pushing all the way through the end of the year. As you keep pushing, that same energy will start your next year!

We got this! I hated 150s in high school, but it’s time to remember what they represented. I’m giving it my best shot in this 4^th Quarter, and I expect some great things to happen by the end of this 2022 race!

Who’s with me?! Let’s knock this 150 out the park!