People often tell me that they are inspired by my running. This is the only reason I even post about it, so I am thankful that it helps. I not only want to inspire, but I would also love to activate that inspiration! Here's why: Over the course of this past year God has used running in my life for multiple reasons. It has given me hope in both the spiritual and physical realms. I have struggled with fatigue for as long as I can remember. In my adult life I have been on and off different medications for anxiety and depression; most recently I discovered I have ADD, so I've been taking medication for that. Several years ago I had to change my diet drastically because of intestinal issues, so I now struggle with IBS. These are enough factors to give the excuse that I can't run! But when I felt God calling me to train for a 1/2 marathon, I felt obligated to overcome those fears that I couldn't run, with His help, of course.
Now, to be sure, I did not start out with 10 miles. It took almost 8 weeks of running 3 miles about 4-5 times a week before I felt like I was getting somewhere. I was constantly sore.....This took a lot of perseverance. Even since then, I would say that I still feel fatigued, but it's different. It took the consistent building to help me feel stronger physically. It took persistence and endurance. There were days I would rather have taken a nap, but I pushed myself to do it. I ran through rain, snow, sleet and ice. What made me keep going?.....hope
I hoped that this would help me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It has!!! I have not struggled with depression or anxiety to the degree I had before. One of my friends calls running her Zanex. I would have to agree with that! I think clearer, my emotions are more stable and spiritually.....wow!
Now I see why Paul uses running as a spiritual metaphor several different times throughout his epistles. Running takes effort...it takes endurance...it takes perseverance. Paul encourages us to run hard, focused on the prize....the finish. We have to make the effort to run this spiritual race. It does me no good to get my running gear on and then sit down on the couch and take a nap. I have to get out and set one foot in front of the other. In the same way, we not only have to make the effort to sit down with the Lord and His word, but we have to apply it....run with it....one step in front of the other.
We can't expect to jump into the middle of this spiritual race without training, as a one time deal. It takes daily training....spending time in prayer and in His word, in order for us to run this race with confidence. Sometimes we will put forth the effort and try to put the word into practice, but we're not feeling it....Take heart, my friend! Even though you may not "feel" the transformation, but instead feel worse in the moment, God is building you up....slowly, but surely. Remember how I said earlier that the first couple of months I was sore every day? It's the same spiritually....God is reshaping our "muscles" as we continue to persevere and put forth our effort and practice in growing in Him. We can't see the progress because we are deep in the middle of it. We need this training, it's essential and beneficial.
There have been a few times when, because of a busy schedule or sickness, I haven't been able to run for a few days...the longest has been a week. I will tell you....I notice a difference in my physical and mental well-being when this lapse occurs. I realize, then, how much running does help! The longer the lapse, the more anxious I get and the more tired....hmmm, interesting isn't it? It's the same spiritually. The longer the time lapses between us and time with the Lord, the more miserable and anxious we feel. That's when we start to become more tired spiritually and are easily desensitized by the world. So, be careful....don't let that happen. Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize (the living hope of Jesus Christ). He will keep us in this race....He will carry us, if He needs to....All we need to do is just show up, ready to put one foot in front of the other....will you?
*Along this thread, pray for the students at Hope Academy, that they would not only hear the truths from chapel and classes, but that they would "run" in them...putting one foot in front of the other
*pray for the staff, that they would continue to persevere in this race, focused on the prize: the living hope in Christ. Pray that they would be encouraged and see the truth, that they've sown in these young hearts come to fruition!
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