Brian Betts ~ June
Endure
Stay in the Race
It is the end of the 141st year at Immanuel, as the school has graduated 20 students in the 8th grade. The majority of the students attended Immanuel starting in 4K. They have faced numerous challenges as part of their educational journey. Through all of the highs and lows that come with running the race, they have made it to the finish line. In many ways, our life is a race in which we have a goal that we must complete. Many of the students run a mile as part of physical fitness testing. The mile run involves four laps around the track. When some students start, they are full of energy and might make it one lap before slowing down to a crawl. But some set a pace and grind it out for four laps. Yes, there are points in the run where you want to slow down, or just plain walk. Some students want to quit before they cross the finish line. I remember my days of running in school; the first lap was good, but the second lap was a little harder. When it came to the third lap, your legs hurt, your stomach felt funny, and you just wanted to be done. But you only have one more lap. You can do it, as you only have one more lap and do not want to be made out to be a quitter.
The endurance to finish a school year may be coming to an end, but stay in the race of sharing Jesus
with others as you change lanes from school mode to summer mode. Parents make time to play
together and pray together. Take time to sit around a campfire filled with conversation about the many
blessings that God has provided to your family. As you travel to a new community, visit another church to worship, or take time to stream the church service online, please stay in the race of growing your faith and enduring the challenges of our world.
Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us to run the race as Jesus Christ has endured the cross. The challenges in life
pale in comparison to what Jesus suffered for us. As you run a new race called summer, continue to
take Jesus with you as you share the Love of Jesus, grow in Faith, and serve the community.
In Christ,
Brian J. Betts