Pioneer Files: Train in the Sand

 

Learn from the elders.

We live on the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) Indian Reservation in Idaho. The Nimiipuu are renowned for the breeding and training of Appaloosa horses. A tribal elder, a friend and neighbor of ours, once told me that his people used to train their horses by running them along the sandy beaches of the Clearwater River. Running in the deep white sand overdeveloped the horses’ leg muscles. Then when they raced their horses on dirt courses, their animals easily outdistanced their competitors.

If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out,

Then how can you compete with horses?

If you fall down in a land of peace,

How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

Jeremiah 12:5 (NASB)

Prepare your children now for life's trials. 

Our families face incredible challenges and trials as this age draws to a close. We must set our hearts on training our young people so that they can run like the wind when they are put to the test.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB)

Teach them with the same gentleness and consistency your heavenly Father guides you. You are in training, too.

God calls us to train in such a way, exercising self-control and self-denial, so as to be able to run our race with patience and finish our journey with joy. With our eyes on the prize, we are learning together, both parents and children, to be like our Master.

The real joy of any job is doing it with all our might before our Lord, knowing that every day is a gift we are given to enjoy with Him and our families, whether we are working, studying, or playing. With our “eyes on the prize” of the high calling in Christ Jesus, we choose to ignore the length of the road before us and the potholes along the way.

When the finish line fills our sight, the way forward is clearer, the hurdles less intimidating. 

Never fear, dear ones. Run like you're going to win.