I am not a runner—never have been, and I don’t see it in my future. However, the story of a man running 42 kilometres without stopping to protect his country from enemies has always fascinated me. The physical, mental, and emotional toll of running a marathon—testing the limits of human capacity in a race against others doing the same—gives me inspiration and cause to reflect.
Engagement – The Long View
In daily life, there are moments of celebration and joy, along with sorrow and mourning. There are victories, both small and large, and there are defeats. There are times we come together with family, friends, and colleagues, and moments we are alone. There are busy, eventful, and productive times, and then times of serenity, peace, and even boredom. Life is a marathon, and the physical, mental, and emotional preparation we need to be successful is much like that of an athlete.
So how can we help the young people in our lives—those we love and care about—navigate this journey? We can look to God as our guide:
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21)
The First Few Miles
We can be like the light—help them set short-term goals, celebrate the small steps, and cheer them on.
The Middle Miles
We can be like the shepherd, because the finish line is still too far away. Remind them of their long-term goals, what they’re building for their future. Tell them what you see in them already and share your vision for what they can become when they are the best version of themselves.
The Wall
We can be like the prophet—this is often the hardest part, where motivation wanes. This is the time most people want to quit; it’s just too hard. We cannot pick someone up and carry them, even when we want to. It’s step by excruciating step that we cajole, cheer, challenge, direct, speak truths, and set limits they cannot set for themselves. The wall is hard for everyone, but when we care deeply, seeing someone push through it is one of the greatest joys we can share. If you’re a parent of a Year 12 student, you’re probably feeling the wall right now.
The Final Push
The finish line is in sight—it’s time to cheer again! This is where we encourage, empathise, and inspire young people, and celebrate when they achieve their goal. Then it’s time to reset for the future and begin the training process all over again.
We can be the face of Jesus to our young people, our families and friends, and to each other in our community.
God Bless,
Rox Davies
Acting Principal
