For many seasons, I coached women’s cross-country, an endeavor that brought immense joy to me.  So many days, I would long for the what was oftentimes the BEST part of each school day, a time when I could get out on the cross-country course with these young runners.  What began as years of working with elementary runners morphed into years of coaching elementary, middle, and high school girls, and before I realized what was happening, there were fifty-five runners under my care.

It was at that point when I realized there was not enough of me to meet all the needs of these beautiful young runners, so I instituted a Mentorship Program: an opportunity for experienced runners to watch, care, and teach the inexperienced runners.

• Truly, on the best days, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
• Yet, truly on the worst days, it was uncomfortable and challenging.

As you may guess—I faithfully prayed each day for the Beautiful, Best Days.

Since every cross-country course varies from the next and because the ladies ran on a variety of courses, one particular drill I continuously required was the “Pre-Walk” of the course before each race.  This drill was one the mentors taught their small group of runners during days of practice, as well as on race days.

The mentors would gather their group of less-experienced runners, and together, walk the course.  Maybe you have never watched a cross-country race and wonder why, since running is running. However, each course is filled with its own set of challenges:

• Roots protruding from the ground;
• Stumps sticking up on the course that runners must go around;
• Logs laying across the path;
• Rocks and Debris covering the hills;
• Twists and Turns coming along the course;  &
• Flat stretches when running quickly was necessary.

Without the “Pre-Walk” of the cross-country course, the race would have been lost.

The mentors would walk through the course pointing out costly and injury-prone challenges, helping their assigned runners mentally prepare for the upcoming race. It was as much as a talk-through as a walk-through.

In much the same way, we are called to mentor, to disciple new believers in Christ—

• Praying with them;
• Sharing coffee-time as we share life;
• Reading the Bible together;
• Memorizing Scripture as we go;
• Testifying together;
• Walking through life side-by-side.

For, we, who have followed Christ for many years, know that without faithful Christians sharing Jesus with us, our soul may have remained lost.  & We also know how our own “Pre-Walk” with our Christian mentors has made our Christian race stronger. Therefore, those who have been saved many years must ask ourselves:

• What keeps me (a Christian) from being used by Christ?
• What keeps me (a Believer) from being a witness for Jesus?
• What keeps me (a child of God) from being sold-out for my Savior?
• What keeps you and me (us) from mentoring a new Believer in Christ? &
• What keeps us from seeking someone to mentor us?

Continuously Rely NOT on What We Can Do—But What Christ Has Done for Us Through Jesus on the Cross!

Daily Rely NOT on What We Can Do—But What Christ Jesus Can Do Through Us!

Faithfully Rely NOT on What We Can Do—But What Christ Jesus Can Do Within Us!

May we be totally surrendered to our Savior.

May we be totally sold-out for Jesus.

May we allow ourselves to be used by God as He builds His kingdom.  &

May we begin TODAY!