The Fastest Runner

11 Again I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11

I keep thinking about the runner who lost.

Maybe because his story feels too familiar.

Maybe he trained harder than anyone else. Maybe he was the fastest. He arrived prepared and ran his race, but still saw someone else cross first. I wonder what he thought of himself after the race.

The Teacher doesn't call him slow. He notes the race doesn't always go to the swift.

We see a bad outcome and instantly look for a mistake.

Life is messier. Wisdom matters and preparation counts, yet time and circumstance interrupt our best efforts without permission.

Some people carry disappointments they've quietly blamed themselves for.

Sometimes the fastest runner just loses.

Father, be near to those who did their best and are still hurting. Keep us from measuring ourselves or others by outcomes alone, and give us grace for what is beyond us.