I love the CBS TV show The Amazing Race. I've watched every episode and last night was the finale. I was so excited! Who would win the Amazing Race and the $1 million prize? - Cara and Jaime, former NFL cheerleaders
- Tammy and Victor, brother and sister attorneys
- Margie and Luke, the mom and her son who is deaf
Cara and Jaime were the first team with two women in the final three. Way to go, girls! However, Cara had a problem with impatience especially in dealing with taxi drivers who get lost or were too slow. Would they be able to work together and win the race? 
Tammy and Victor are successful in the world's eyes. They're graduates of Harvard law school so they're both very smart attorneys. But could they overcome the dynamics of a brother who tends to be the powerful more aggressive leader while Tammy has a different way of relating?
I have to admit that I was cheering for Margie and Luke. I tend to go for the underdog in most races. Margie is 50 years old but very competitive and Luke is her son. He's had to overcome much in life with his deafness. But could they work together using sign language and show the world that deaf people can run an amazing race?
I learn so many lessons watching The Amazing Race!
To run the race you need to:
- Pack lightly. If you're backpack is too heavy, it weighs you down.
- Work together. It's called team work.
- Be patient. Impatience only causes more frustration and then mistakes are easily made.
- Think clearly.
- Be persistent and don't give up.
- Focus on the goal.
- Don't get weighed down with earthly possessions that so easily distract.
- Help one another. After all, the Christian life isn't meant to be lived alone.
- Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. As we spend time in the Word of God and prayer, His Spirit will manifest changes in our countenance.
- Clear thinking is so important. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Don't allow the world to muddy your thinking.
- Persistence is so important. Don't give up when things get tough. After all, Jesus said we should expect suffering in this world.
- Focus on the goal; Jesus. Our real home is in heaven; we're just passing through this one.
Check out what 1 Corinthians 9: 24-25 says:
On The Amazing Race only one couple wins the prize. And that winner was ...Tammy and Victor. Congratulations for running a great race!"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
However, I think each contestant learned something about themselves along the race. These are life long lessons and what they do with that is their choice.
We also have a choice as to how we run our race to the finish line of life. Will we focus on Jesus or the world and all it has to offer? He gives us a heart choice to make.
And by the way, I would love to compete on The Amazing Race. Since I hate to starve, would not wear a bathing suit on TV, and I wouldn't lie, Survivor is out for me. But running around the world? Now that would be fun and challenging.
And I know the perfect person who could be my team mate.
This is my niece Kristin Sumstad. I think we'd be very compatible on The Amazing Race. She's smart. She's graduating with her graduate degree in Speech Pathology. She's a clear thinker. She's competitive. And she's got Norwegian genes ...the Vikings! And we love one another too.
So, what do you think? Are there any Amazing Race fans out there? What do you think of the comparison to our Christian race in this life? I can't wait to read your comments. :)
I also watched the finale of The Amazing Race. I was rooting for the mother/son team.
ReplyDeleteI can see you doing well in this reality show! It's not something I would want to do though. And no amount of money could persuade me to do Survivor! lol
I've watched a few episodes of the show here and there. I think the comparisons are great between the Christian race. "Run the race" was our theme for last year's VBS so what you wrote sounded familiar to me from that.
ReplyDeleteI'd say go for it, I'd watch to see how you'd do!!
I haven't watched that show, but I liked your analysis of how to run the race. Teamwork is so important... that is why it has been hard for me to watch shows like Survivor, where people are conspiring against each other because their ultimate goal is to be the last one standing. I like the theory of a show that encourages others to help each other.
ReplyDelete~ Kristi
This was a nice post.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much TV. But I do appreciate when shows have spiritual application. Sounds like I'd love this show.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd love to see you on the show. That would be incredible!!
After reading your post, the first thing that came to my mind was this parable "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And it's so parallel to your words : Don't get weighed down with earthly possessions that so easily distract.Help one another. After all, the Christian life isn't meant to be lived alone."
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's very true:)) I think, that's one reason why it's always hard to learn the lesson of detachment. But God shows His Love so tremendously that He always purify those who are willing to follow Him :))
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Debbie:)) as always, they're very uplifting!
Dear Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThe amazing race doesn't run in Norway, so I'm not familiar with the show.
However I can clearly see how we as Christians must give up more and more of our worldly luggage to strive against our common goal,- heaven.
The good thing is, I don't have to manage all on my own. I have the best leader, supporter and back up there is in Jesus.
Neither can anyone vote me out. As long as I want to hang on to the solid rock , Jesus has promised that no one shall rip me out of his arms.
That is a comfort to me when times get rough.
Being weak, faulting and tumbling doesn't matter.
I am his just as I am.
Together we'll finish the race and I can say with Paul,7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2Tim.4:7)
I wish you too a happy belated mother's day. The Norwegian was in February, but then, every day is mother's day, isn't it?
From Felisol
What's this? You don't want me for your partner? OK, maybe I'm not in the best shape, but think of the fun we'd have.
ReplyDeleteLove you, h.