Racing with Ohana

Don't make a point. Guide.

There is a limp with crutches. He has to reach the finish line before he misses the opportunity but he doesn't know how. So he starts asking people who are also running the race.

Someone 'points' to him where is the finish line and leaves. Now, the limp knows where the finish line is. However, he doesn't know how to get there.

He only has his crutches. So he starts walking.

A mile later, he becomes tired. He starts crawling with the crutches tied on his back.

Later he thinks, will he let go off his crutches to loosen his load? But what if he may need it again later? So the limp continues his pace. Walk with his crutches and crawl. Again and again he does this cycle just to reach to the finish line.

However, the limp becomes so tired with the same strategy over and over again and he still is unable to reach to the finish on time. If only someone would guide him.

If someone guides him, will he be able to reach the finish line on time?

There is a limp with crutches. He has to reach the finish line but he doesn't know how. He starts asking people who are also running the race.

People hear him and know his need. They start guiding him and helping him to reach the finish line.

Someone lends him a wheelchair. The limp sits on the wheelchair and ties his crutches behind the wheelchair. He rolls on.

Will he get to the finish line? What if one wheel from the wheelchair get broken? How will he get to the finish line?

The limp has many things in mind. He would use his crutches again but he knows he is unable to reach the finish line with his crutches. Or is only he knows how to fix the wheel but he doesn't know how to fix a wheel and he doesn't have the tools to fix. Or he would rather start rolling as hard as he could with a broken wheel. Will he get to the finish line?

What if people are there to help him? They would either fix his wheel or replace the wheel for him. Others would try to just carry him to reach to the finish line.

So the race is in motion again. The limp is being carried to the finish line leaving the wheelchair and his crutches.

What if the person carrying him sprained his ankle? He has to put the limp down. Now there are two limps running the race. How will they get to the finish line? The limp has left his crutches behind and if starts crawling again, what would happen to the new limp?

Each limp would place one of their arms over the other limp's shoulder, and they limp away to the finish line. Skipping. Leaping. Skipping.

A mile later, the two limps are both tired; they start crawling.

Is the first limp complaining that he has to crawl again? Is the first limp sad that he has to crawl again?

The two limps are enjoying each other's company. Yes, they are tired. But they are happy. Sooner, they reach the finish line together.

Don't make a point. Guide.

The limp can't get to the finish line with only what he has and only what he knows. With limited resources, he can't finish the race because someone only points to him where the finish line is. With help and guidance, the limp is able to finish the race. Not by himself but with a friend who first guides him, then later, they help each other out.

We are limps. We cannot reach the finish line by ourselves. We need guidance and help. We don't need people pointing to us the direction. We don't need teachers, parents, or friends to point us to our futures. We need them to guide us. We need people not pride. We need fellowship not workmanship.

Because people have the resources we don't have.

Woe is a man who runs the race alone.

Happy is the man who finishes the race with others.

"We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means (GUIDANCE). So let us run the race that is before us and never give up (FINISH LINE--LIFE). We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back (CRUTCHES/OUR OWN RESOURCES--PRIDE/SELFISHNESS/ISOLATION)." Hebrews 12:1

"I saw a man who had no family, no son or brother. He always worked hard but was never satisfied with what he had. He never asked himself, "For whom am I working so hard? Why don't I let myself enjoy life?" This is very sad and useless." Eccl. 4:8

"Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.

If one falls down, the other can help him up.

But it is bad fo the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.

If two lie down together, they will be warm.

An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break." Eccl. 4:9-12

"If two or three are gathered together in [Jesus'] name, [Jesus is] there with them.] Matt. 18:20

Success is not about education, career, degree, position, or wealth. Success is about having a relationship with God. And because God is a God of relationships. He places us a hunger for people. And God can never be our God if we are isolated. Therefore, SUCCESS is about having a good relationship with God and His people.

"Together you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of the body." 1 Cor. 12:27

"OHANA means family. Family means nobody gets left behind." - Lilo & Stitch, 2002

"We are one." - Lion King 2, 1998