day 999: The Lean

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance"

When the race has been long and hard and the finish line is now in site, do we find ourselves slumping over and just making it across, or do we want to pick up the speed and finish leaned over and forward as if there is tape there for us to break?  It's a running metaphor, but one that holds up in our business life.  Projects, sales pitches, deals, people issues, career changes, strategy development, product launches, growth plans, financial modeling, all of these and more are races that we we run every day and how we finish is important because that is what brings us back again and again. Part of the long race, and the successful completion, is knowing within ourselves that we are well trained and ready.  Drawing upon those hours, days, weeks and maybe months of preparation to say to ourselves, "I got this", is part of the success.  Has your company done the necessary work to finish strong?  Training, development, encouragement, process, commitment, mechanisms for rewards and recognition all play into this preparation.  Think about it.

Paul tells us to rejoice in the difficult parts of the race because he knows that it is in these moments that endurance is built.  He is talking about the ultimate life race that we are to finish well.  As we start this week, think about it as a race to be run.  Watch, listen and feel how the hills roll this week.  Then be sure and get ready for the trials that inevitably come, but instead of letting those get you down, instead lean into them and know that this where the endurance that that the Lord wants us to have comes from.  Start strong and finish strong this week!  He is there with you in all His glory!

Reference:  Romans 5:3 (New Living Translation)