1 Corinthians 9:24-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.


Today I went for a run. Now let me confess something; I did not WANT to go for a run. I wanted to sit in the rare and glorious Oregon sunshine and do nothing. But I needed to log my 6 miles according to my training plan, so out the door I went. When I got to the trail head, I started thinking through the rather difficult season I have been in for the past couple of years. I was feeling incredibly discouraged and quite frankly a little sorry for myself! I stretched out, turned on some music and my Runkeeper and hit the trail. I went out fast, really working pretty hard. After the first mile I noticed that my energy started to fade and I began to get slower. Well into my second mile I started to get a side stitch and started to get thirsty. This intense thirst brought to mind the scripture from today's bible study: Psalm 143 verse 6 says I stretch out my hands to you, my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Suddenly I rounded a corner in the trail and a soft breeze blew up in my face and I looked up to see a long stretch of shaded path. I plodded through and the breeze and shade refreshed me and I was off. I was starting to feel pretty good and keeping a good pace and sailed through my third and fourth miles with ease. By the fifth mile I was really starting to thirst and it was getting hotter. The path also turned to black pavement and the heat radiated off of it. My foot was starting to throb and I could tell that I was getting a couple of nasty blisters. Step after step I began to concentrate more and more on my thirst and the pain in my foot. I began to slow down, and began to feel frustrated. I looked and for as far as the eye could see it was hot black pavement. I couldn't get a glimpse of shade and I was frustrated and discouraged. I was also starting to go slower and slower and was frustrated with my pace. Of course I then came to an intersection and had to wait for the light to change. Mumbling to myself about how long the light was taking to change, I heard God whisper to me gently as the breeze stirred up again, "Take the rest I have offered to you my daughter". I grimaced and hit the trail again. As I was in the final half mile to the finish of my run, I was hot, tired, and my foot was throbbing. I was feeling weary for the long stretch of seeming desert of a path. My phone started to chirp, and I looked down to see a text message from a dear friend. "I think you are a pretty darn amazing woman, that is all. I love you!" I began to cry as this loving note of encouragement was just what I needed to get through the last push to the finish.

As I was pondering over these things and trying to figure out what God was whispering, I began to see so many parallels to my run for the day and my life. I saw how many times I had gone out with the best of intentions starting well and giving it all I have. How after a while I began to tire and get weary. I remembered the times God had provided shade; shelter from the harsh environment around me and whispered a cool breeze into my life. I reflected on the times of incredible thirst for God and his word, and the growth and strength that has brought. I saw the times of rest the Lord offered graciously and how many times I had rejected the rest offered in favor of being busy or having a schedule to maintain. And the current long, dry season of nothing but pavement and heat. How often I have had to put one foot in front of the other because that is all I know how to do. How often I have looked down to those feet, blistered and irritated focusing on my pain and circumstance rather than looking up at the God who sustains me. Then finally I began to tear up at the thought of my friend, listening to the Holy Spirit whisper grace in her ear, "Now my daughter, send her the message." Perfectly timed and refreshing to the soul. So often the seasons of our lives fluctuate and we go through long, hot, dry times when we look around for God's hand and don't see it. Where we put one foot in front of the other in faith that God will see us through those painful circumstances of life. He reminded me how important it is to take the rest offered, to look for and anticipate the shade, and to praise him for the breeze. And most of all he reminded me to run the race well, and to hit that finish line with all I've got rejoicing with Jesus on that day. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.