I was really looking forward to a great weekend of relaxing, hanging out with my family, sleeping in as long as the kids would allow and simply being lazy. My thoughts were focused on this until I got a phone call the day before my lethargically sluggish weekend began.

Jacqueline began to tell me how Pastor Z, her husband and my pastor, had a conversation with a man that was coordinating an event called “Remember the Fallen” Memorial 5k Run. This was the 2^nd year the event had been held in North Port and was put on to remember those who died on 9/11 as well as honor and support the first responders and members of the armed services who protect and serve our communities daily. The coordinator had told Pastor Z that he would like some of the team from Awaken Church to participate, Pastor zealously agreed and asked Jacqueline to start making some calls. She then called and began explaining that she realized it was last minute, but she would really like to have me participate at the event. Admittedly, I was a little apprehensive because I was looking forward to sleeping in and I didn’t really feel I was up to participating in a 5k run! But how could I not go and support such a great cause?

My alarm sounded at 5 o’clock in the morning and I found it very difficult to rise from my deep slumber. It was still so dark outside that even the rooster outside shouted at me to shut my alarm off! I rolled out of bed and into my closet to throw on the appropriate attire, and then headed out to the race. As I said before, I was a bit nervous driving to North Port City Hall not knowing what to expect, I mean I have never participated in a 5k run before.

As I pulled into the parking lot the runners were piling into registration. As I looked all around I felt a bit out of my element…

The event had a tremendous turn out, almost doubling the amount of participants from the previous year. The city of North Port did a tremendous job putting the event together. It took some time to check all the extra competitors in, which gave me a lot of time to ponder how I was going to make it through and what my strategy would be in the race.

After all the competitors were checked in, it was finally  time to give tribute to those that gave and risked  their lives on that fateful day that the Twin Towers came down. Following the opening ceremonies, the race would begin. It was certainly a time of reflection and perspective. These service workers gave their lives, their time and their effort to make sure the citizens of America could be safe and secure. This is a sacrifice that allowed me to be where I was at that time; I was suddenly rejuvenated and ready for the race to begin!

All the competitors were lined up on the mark, ready for the North Port fire engine to sound off the start of the race. I couldn’t believe the sea of people that had turned out to race. Young to old, everyone was ready to begin the race, and now I was. On your mark, get set….the fire engine sounded and the sea of people began to flood the streets of North Port.

 I knew as the race began that I would not have much time to decide on my strategy. The winner of the previous year finished under the 18 minute mark, so my time to decide how I was going to handle the race was not far off in the distance. I decided to just hang back and hold steady, then make my push as the leader pushed toward the line. It may not have been an amazing plan, but it was the only one that I had at that moment.

About 17 minutes had passed by when I looked down the street and saw the first person heading toward the finish line. It was a little unexpected, the time had gone by so fast and I was not really ready to “turn it on” and make a push toward the finish. However, I knew I had to step it up; I was there to support and serve the fine men and women that serve me. I also knew I was there to represent Awaken Church as well, so I could not just stand back while everyone else was putting in such a great effort to finish the race.

As the guy in the head of the pack made the turn for the finish line, I stepped it up and ran by to grab a cup of fluids. I looked over at the the leader as he steadily approach the final destination. Thoughts crept through my mind, “can you do this?” Would I be able to make it through this exhausting 5k race? I was so exhausted from getting up so early.

 The frontrunner was now closer and closer to the end of the race.

“You can do this Shawn,” I thought to myself. “Here we go!”

The first place finisher suddenly crossed the finish line and then I jumped into action!

“Would you like some chocolate milk?” I asked with fervor.

“No thank you,” the winner stated out of breath.

“Okay…well…congratulations?!” I replied.

Okay, so I wasn’t there to actually run the race. I was there to SERVE…chocolate milk. Come to find out chocolate milk is a great way for runners to recover after a long run, due to the high content of carbohydrates and protein. Who knew?

The point is that even though I was not actually running in the race, me being there still served a tremendous purpose. Because I decided to take a few hours out of my relaxing weekend, I was able to help runners recover from a long race, promote Awaken Church and, more importantly, show support for those who have taken their time to serve me with their lives.

In 1 Peter 4:10 the Bible states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (NIV). Every single person has been given a gift from God to be used for the benefit of others. These gifts can be as simple as a small portion of time that you have been given at this moment in life. Just like God has called us to be faithful stewards of our finances, we are also to be faithful stewards of our time, our talent and our finances.

I could have easily stayed home, slept half the day away and balanced a plate of cookies on my belly as I watched reruns of “Duck Dynasty”. However, as the great Si Robertson says, “Hey, Homie don’t play that Jack!” I got up at five and used my morning as God had intended for me that day. I am not saying that you can’t sleep in every now and then. I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy an episode of “Duck Dynasty” every now and then. In fact, I highly recommend it. And I certainly believe that it is important to spend quality time with your family. However, just as I was meant at that moment to provide a drink of energy for participants of a 5K Memorial Run, show how Awaken Church is committed to serve the North Port community and serve the God who has given me everything,  this  moment may be your moment to serve.

So, what are you doing at this moment with your time and gifts? Are you wasting time and effort that could be spent on uplifting others? Are you being good stewards with the life God has given you? Life is a great race. You don’t always have to be the one that is actually running. But the least you can do is make an effort and pass out some chocolate milk.

Shawn Leaverton