“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”     Hebrews 12:1,2

I will never forget the feeling of not hearing my name called out when the kids chose their teams for sports games in elementary and middle school.  I was usually one of the last choices for whatever reason but it was always embarrassing.  In a world where we place so much value on being seen as worthy, based on how we look, what we wear, and what others think of us, we forget whether or not we care if our team even wins the race set before us.  I am so glad that the captain that called my name for His team, already ran and won the most important race there is.  Christ, after running the race, enduring the cross, and rising from the dead to bridge the gap between us and God, sat at His Fathers right hand and pointed to me.  He called my name, me, that little hopeless girl, abused and tossed aside, scarred and damaged…all the years of my life He has pursued me, held me up, healed me, whispered tender mercies into my spirit…He lifted me up out of the ashes of my life and place me on the path of the race I must run, but He runs it with me…That is the Best Team Captain Ever!!! And the awesome news is that He still has plenty of room on His team…