Ever noticed the stance of a runner as he gets into position before a race? I never really thought about it because it's just what runners do, right? But as I journeyed through my devotion this morning, "Dare To Be Devoted" by Natalie Grant and Charlotte Gambill, I was able to see the stance in a totally different light. Think about how they crouch down with their feet on the blocks, hands on the ground out in front of them, it's awkward and looks really uncomfortable. I never really considered why they were in this position. I just assumed that it was "the way" to start a race. 

Image via Google

Prompted by a gentleman with a flag they follow a command of "On Your Mark, Get set, Go". Ever thought about what those commands mean? On Your Mark, Get Set, Go….and how might that apply to your life? After reading my devotional, it sure made sense to me. I have a new found respect for the runner's pre-race stance.

Shaun T image via Google

So how do the commands given to a runner and his pre-race stance have anything to do with us and the way we live our lives? Allow me to explain what I learned.So many times, like right now for me, we are busy trying to figure out what we are doing next, making changes and moving in a different direction. We fix our eyes on the goal and we tear out to make it happen. Right? See the goal, make it happen. I am a doer!!! My sweet Daddy, God rest his soul, used to say, "If you want something to happen, let Kim handle it. She'll get it done and she'll do it right." And true to that, that's how I roll. BUT…sometimes, I jump out of the starting block before I have allowed myself the time to get ready and that's when mistakes happen. That's when God gently pulls me back and declares a "foot fault". He wants to let me know that my start was invalid and I need to rethink it. I need to regroup and start again.I can be in such a hurry to get on to the next task that I fail to pay attention to the way in which I started. My lack of internal posture directly affects my starting position. "It's the ability to control the starting process that determines the pace and power of our performance once the starter gun is sounded. In a professional race the smallest error in that starting line up can throw the whole race out. An incorrect starting position can even mean disqualification." from Dare To Be. Isn't that the truth?! Why are we in such a hurry? Why not take the time in the beginning to get ourselves into the right starting position so that we can run a good race? Doesn't it just make more sense to "Get On Our Mark" first? Then, "Get settled into the position" and THEN GO?In this season of my life, I think it's especially important to think before I act…to get on my mark first, settle in and then take the first step. I want to make sure that my eyes are fixed on Jesus and what he has in store for me. I want to be spiritually ready and have a proper internal posture that puts me at His feet first. Time doesn't stand still as we wait for His direction but as I have experienced so many times in my life, His timing is always better than mine and I will be rewarded for my patience in waiting for His direction.From Dare To Be:1. Is your spiritual posture aligned correctly?2. What do you need to re-align so you can run with greater strength?3. What agenda do you need to surrender at His feet first? "On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!!! Here's to a brilliant 2015!!!Kim