So I did a thing a couple of weekends back…My husband and I ran in the St. Jude 10k race in Memphis, TN!  This is a huge deal man…HUGE deal!  First off, I’ve never considered myself a runner but ya know…I guess I am LOL!  Second, I did not walk once.  I ran the whole time!  Like I said…HUGE DEAL! 

So let me give you some background, growing up I was an athlete.  Basketball, volleyball, softball, track, cross-country, soccer…you name it!  My primary sport was basketball and in high school during conditioning season, we had to run the dreaded 8-minute mile!  Personally, I never made it in eight minutes (many of us didn’t) and I had to walk a good piece of it.  Now in your teen years, you are suppose to be in your best shape, right?  Well, I would have to say I am in better shape now than then.  Because of my high school experience, I always defaulted to “I’m just not a runner” and was ok with that.  Well in 2010, I got off into fitness and going to the gym but due to tight funds, the gym fell to the waist side.  I didn’t want to just stop working out because at this point, I had loss about 50lbs.  So I decided to take up running because mainly…IT’S FREE!  I had low expectations but slowly built my endurance.  It wasn’t until 2014 (after I had my first daughter) that I committed to running an actual race and I signed up for my first competitive 5k.  Over the years, life has happened here and there but I always come back to running. 

So, last year I decided to work my way up to a full marathon. The progression would be

5k—> 10k—> half marathon—> full marathon.

So here I am: 5k check…10k check…now on to the half in 2019!

I love running…ok I have more of a love/hate relationship with running LOL! Of course, it’s great for physical, emotional, and mental growth but do you realize how much running parallels with spiritual growth?! Running a race is so much like going through life with its highs and lows. Not to mention that there are many scriptures with running/training illustrations. Let me share with you what I have learned and still learning from running that parallels my life:

1. Run with perseverance the race marked out for me!

   “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grown weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

   The thing about running a race is that you have so many people all around you. Some walking, some running, some competing, some at leisure…regardless everyone has their own agenda at hand and it’s different from the next racer. For me, my goal was to run without walking or stopping and keep a steady pace…that’s it! I had my goals and that’s what I was competing with, not someone else. If I focused on the walkers, I would've thought it was fine for me to walk. If I focused on keeping up with faster runners, I would have tired out. I focused on MY race that was individualized for ME! Spiritually, we can see others around us and think we are not doing enough or doing too much and should slow down. Ask yourself this: what has God placed before ME and am I doing that or am I focusing on others around me?

2. Disciplining and training myself to do what I should do!

   “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT

   I run about three times a week. That’s the goal and it’s all about being consistent. I knew that I was going to run the race back in the summer so I formulated a running plan to work myself up to the 6.2 miles. Now, I could have been like my hubby and just got out there without training and just ran but I am not naturally gifted like he is LOL! I needed to train so my body knew what running that mileage would be like. It’s called muscle memory and my body would know how to deal and adjust to this without it being shocked and me possibly having an injury. The same applies in our spiritual journey. Praying consistently, reading your bible consistently, practicing ‘One another Christianity’ all improves your spiritual muscle memory. Just like with running, all of this may be difficult at the beginning. You may even do it out of duty at first but over time it becomes second nature, easier, and dare I say enjoyable (I never thought that I would actually enjoy running…HA!).

3. Run and not grow weary!

   “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NLT

   I never truly know how far I can run until I push myself. Normally my brain tells me to stop waaay before my body wants to stop. I’ve learned to not listen to my brain but listen to my body. My body normally doesn’t get tired and weary even though my brain is telling me that it is. But isn’t life like this as well? On one hand, your brain will tell you can’t go on, life is too much! But notice how you can look back and see that you seem to get through those tough times. It’s because you are putting your trust in the Lord who as the scripture says give you new strength! He will never let you endure more than you can bear. I love 1 Corinthians 10:13 because it talks about that in those rough times, God will always provide a way out. AMEN to that!!! Reflect over that for a moment…remember tough times of your past. Since hindsight is 20/20, think about the clarity you have gained, the mountains you overcame. Whether you knew it or not, that was God working in your life!

Well guys…that’s all I got for now! Thank y’all as usual for your support and I’ll catch you next time!