In the midst of prayer I saw that my mind had wandered to the things of this earth, even while I spoke the appropriate words of God.  I thought, “These are not the marks of an earnest prayer.” After apology and return to earnest prayer, I asked the Lord to teach me what is victory.

He showed me that victory is not only at the end of the race.  She hovers over the runners from start to finish.  With meticulous and unblinking eye, she watches with wisdom as men run.

-Ingenious attire escapes her view.  She watches not but actions.

-Baubles and trinkets, which divert a man’s attention, are not even visible to victory.

-She pays not the slightest attention to those who refuse to run.

-Words spoken are not heard; the doing is observed.  For victory hears only the words of the Holy One.

-Then she kisses her children with a welcoming kiss at the end of their faithful and earnest run.

-Make no mistake, her kiss is a certifying seal.
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He also showed me a man kneeling.  He was before a brilliant and never ending light.  The light shone directly at him and I looked to see how the light shredded behind him as if brilliant silver threads.

“Those are not threads of light.”  I heard my understanding say.  Then I peered more closely at what trailed behind the man.  They were tethers brilliantly shining in the light of God.

As the man stood to raise his arms in praise I watched as the tethers on his back break loose.  But now that I knew what they were, I studied his form more closely.  Almost imperceptibly, his right heel was tethered by a rather large thread.

God sees all these things.  Victory takes note of them.  He who is victorious wins the prize.   Those who compete in error finish in error.

Then I heard, “Fight with vicious intent!  Those who coddle the sinful nature remain tethered to it.  What do you think?  Does victory take note of them?”