Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize~ 1 Corinthians 9:24
This past month has been a constant struggle to add some self-discipline into my daily walk. Just returning from a beach vacation where there were no time restraints, no agendas, nor work commitments adds to the struggle.
I’ve jumped back onto leading a healthy lifestyle, full-force, and it has been difficult. Changing a lifestyle of 10 years is like pulling teeth and starting over with new habits to replace defunct ones is painful. Baby-steps is what I tell myself. So, yesterday I searched my heart and found a loving God who was willing to lend a hand…..
I ended my day with a run on the good ole’ treadmill at the local YMCA. I am not a natural runner and with each stride comes the pain and the effort to remain steady on my feet as not to fall flat on my face. As I moved forward, one foot in front of the other, I could feel the burning of my shins, my ankles weak, struggling to stay steady. My entire body was tightening under the pressure…I was feeling the burn. When the pain became too much, I opened my eyes, and there was my God. The one who never leaves my side, the constant presence, adoring me in all of my awkwardness. My God, who was cheering me on despite the fact that I have brought all of this mess onto myself over the years. Pain, sweat, and tears, He loves me still……...
Hope arises up past the burn. This mysterious God, three-in-one, shows up when I need Him, every time, constant. My race is for this eternal one, the one who spiritually feeds my deepest needs. My God, the one who is true and good.
This race I am running is toward the glory of God. I long to live as long as I can to let my life be a testimony of this God who has given so much for me. Staying healthy and fit to see my the faces of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Living another day in adoration of my God and to hear the sound of my daughter’s laughter just one more time. Her laughter on my ears is like new life, new beginnings, joy times ten.
We are all in this race together, trying to keep our heads above water, striving toward the prize. I will end with this scripture that hits it home for me.
Hebrews 12:1-3 ~Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
God bless all of you in this race and always choose love in all that you do………..
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