John and I attended the Girls' Weightlifting District Meet last week to watch our granddaughter, Madison, compete. This is her senior year, so her last year on her high school team. She has already been to Regionals, and has her eyes set on going to State this year and has worked hard toward this goal.
She performed well, reaching and setting a P.R. (a personal record for those unfamiliar) in both of her lifts. The team specializes in Olympic lifts, which are the Snatch, and the Clean and Jerk. She placed third in her district for her weight class. She felt she could have lifted more and placed higher, but her goal was to reach Regionals, not win District. She was content. In her own words, "I don't care where I place, I will just be happy to move on."
She is now focusing on Regionals, where her work will focus on placing high enough to move on to State. Her mom, who coincidentally is also her coach, believes that Madison has put in the work that will show up in her lifts and move her on to the State Tournament. This is not blind faith, but confidence in effort and results. We are excited for her, and not just a little bit proud.
In our Bible Fellowship class at church, we have begun to delve into the book of James. This small book, penned by the brother of Jesus, was written to believers. It is a sort of Litmus test, if you will, of true living faith in the life of the believer. James sets out about ten different behaviors, attitudes, or life-practices, that ought to be evident in our lives. We are challenged to deeply reflect and consider our lives for evidence of these things.
While we were watching the different girls lift, many of them failed their lifts. Some of them failed for obvious reasons: they could not lift the weight. Others were less obvious, movements that were not correct or proper. As in arms not extended properly, (referred to as a press out), or accidentally touching their elbows to their knees. This actually happened to Madison last year, which she filed away to never let happen again.
As they progressed, the fails became more technical. A roll-up, a double bounce of the toes. One girl timed out by four seconds. The judge became more critical the more advanced the lifter-preparing them for the next round of competition. Regionals will be tougher, State tougher still.
This morning as I listened to our teacher and class discussion, I was reminded of this competition. How we, like these girls, are all in various stages of growth and development. Yet all are reaching for the same goal. To do and be better than we previously were. To see in our lives a progression towards sanctification, a step at a time.
At the end of the meet two of my daughter's girls reached the podium to receive awards for placing in their respective weight classes. One for first place, and our Madison for third. The entire team celebrated them. The most heartwarming thing I witnessed was not this, however. Before the awards, we watched these girls gather at the different platforms as each girl on the team reached a P.R. in her own weight class. That's right. Every girl on the team P.R.'d on at least one lift. And the team celebrated that lift as if it were a first place trophy.
I would like to think that is what Paul meant when he told us "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 ESV
So good to remember!
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