“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” — Luke 15:20

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My oldest son runs both cross country and track in college. We always enjoy getting to watch him race. Some races we get to see, but others we just have to hear about secondhand due to conflicting schedules or meets that are farther away. Most of the stories encompass both the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat, whether it’s a new personal best, the discouragement of not hitting a goal time, or some challenge faced along the way.

One story he shared inspired this devotional — and I share it with the prayer that it will inspire each of us in the race of faith.

My son was watching his friend and teammate compete in the mile at an indoor track event in North Carolina. His friend led the race from the start. On his final turn of the track, as he headed to a first-place finish, he got passed — his first-place finish taken away by hundredths of a second. As the winner passed, he looked back and made the “shush” symbol.

The race was over, at least from man’s perspective, but that wasn’t the moment when this young man won the real race. He later regretted the gesture he made and made a point of finding my son’s team. He wasn’t able to apologize directly to my son’s teammate, but he did ask that the apology be passed on to him. He said that he didn’t know why he had done that; it wasn’t his usual character.

Did the angels cheer? I hope so. I know I did in my spirit when I heard about this young man making the effort to right a wrong.

I can relate. How often do I say or do something I regret? The enemy would have us live like failures, but the truth is that victory is ours in Christ. It comes when we turn from wrong and look to Christ to do what is pleasing to Him. The best part is that the One we have truly wronged just happens to be the fastest runner of all time. He knows we are a long way from where we need to be, but still He runs with open arms.

In Christ, we are more than conquerors. I think that calls for a victory dance!

— Rachel Gibbons

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