me and my “sole sisters” just before the race began.
It happened in 36 minutes and 47 seconds. I learned amazing things in such a short amount of time – from the moment I heard the announcement, “runners, take your mark!” to the second I stepped across the finish line.
And yes, it took me that long to run 3.1 miles. I’m a novice, you know.
So whether you want to know or not, I am going to share with you what I learned about myself. I’m finding out that my life as a runner and my life as a believer have a lot in common. In fact, when I read these, I find they apply to both lives…
* It is easier for me to run a race when I can picture the finish line.
*If it doesn’t require sweat and tears by the time you cross the finish line, it may not have been worth starting at all.
*Running is pain. and sweat. lots of sweat.
*To run well, I have to capture my thoughts and hold them hostage, or else I will stop running completely.
*My heart is fickle. The minute I was pressed and felt the struggle, I began to curse the very sun I’d requested to shine. I was not happy to experience discomfort.
* I am proud – in the best and worst of senses. the worst: I would have rather died than walk across the finish line – that’s my haughty -no humility side – often worried about what others think. the best: I would have rather died than not finish – that’s my tenacious – never giving up side -believing the truth that there is victory thru Christ.
*When people are standing on the sidelines cheering me on, I can run farther, harder, longer.
*There is no absolute preparation for doing something you’ve never done before – only doing that very thing that is full of unknowns. And there is nothing that can bridge the gap between my desire to finish well and those unknowns like His grace. So, get on with it – because His grace will be more than enough.
*With God ALL is possible. not just a few. not some. not most. ALL.
amen and amen.
daily portion 