If you watch athletics, then you know that Kenya is famous for winning steeplechase, aka water-and-hurdle races. Now, though I neither have the ability nor the desire to run, I thought I should write about hurdles instead. And this is how my most recent interaction with hurdles went:
It was a few days ago. I called a friend with whom I normally enjoy a good laugh. This time though, her tone of voice told me all was not well.
It turns out she needed her passport renewed so she could travel for an emergency, but the immigration officers were being ‘unhelpful.’ If you’re from these parts, you know that ‘unhelpful’ can quickly turn to ‘helpful’ when your purse shows up. She was neither willing nor able to pull out her purse, hence her disheartenment. And she didn’t have friends in high places either.
After sensing her frustration was getting out of hand, she left to get a cup of tea and recollect her thoughts. It was at this point that I called. We chatted and prayed before she went back to immigration.
Later that evening we spoke, and she said she had again faced the same hurdle, but unlike before, this time she was able to lodge her renewal application and told to return in 2 days. We spent the 2days praying for God’s favour. Bright and early on day 3, she sent a cheery message saying her new passport was safely in her hand!
As she and I join together in thanking God, I’m reminded that I shouldn’t despair, or seek friends in high places when there is a hurdle before me. Like our athletes approach the hurdles without fear, I should see the hurdle as something to be overcome. How? By going to God in prayer because He is all-mighty and all-powerful. He is able to get me over the hurdle. Just as He says in Isaiah,
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV