(This post was written by Gina McClain, Director of Children’s Ministries)

New Year’s Resolutions have a way of reminding me that I am not a great finisher.  Especially when it comes to fitness resolutions.  Here we are 3 months into 2011 and my fitness goals are toast. 

I’m a great starter!  Very enthusiastic.  Bursting out of the gate.  Yet somewhere around the second bend when I should bear down, pull from within and push ahead… I seem to peter out. 

There are a several places in scripture where Paul compares a life with Christ to a race.  He refers to the conditioning a runner does to prepare for the race and the determination an athlete owns in order to finish the race strong.  Back in January, our 4^th and 5^th graders focused on the idea of determination.  We talked about the challenges of living out our faith in Christ.  The things that can get in the way… busy schedules, homework/study load, time with friends.  And the things that can cause us to lose steam… criticism from friends or differing belief systems. 

A truth we emphasize in fpKIDS is that the Bible is like a light.  It can show us where to go and what to do.  And the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1 to “…keep running the race that’s marked out for us.”

As parents, there are many things that get in the way of living out our faith.   Hectic schedules and heavy workloads can get in the way.  Tense interactions with our kids and regrettable outbursts can cause us to lose steam.   As parents, our relationship with Christ (and how much of that we allow our kids to see) has significant impact on our kids’ relationship with Christ.  Let’s not let these bumps in the road throw us off.  Make it Personal by allowing your kids to see how you strive to grow.  Identify the things in your life that get in the way of living out your faith.  Determine what is appropriate to share with your kids and allow them to see you work towards releasing those things and pursuing Christ. 

“Let us keep running the race that’s marked out for us.”  Hebrews 12:1