STORY
I could hear the crowd cheering…GO TEAM! 1,000s lined the streets of Nashville, TN as country music filled the air. My bangs clung to my brow as sweat poured down my face and my legs grew tired. Thinking to myself…One more mile Hope you can do it…I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me repeated over and over in my head. Mile 23…24…am I really going to make it? Awww success…26.2 miles, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I couldn’t have finished without God and my running buddies (Faith, Laurie, Steph, and Cara).
While at Lee University, I was in Epsilon Lambda Phi (Greek social service club). One of the girl’s brothers had Leukemia so we decided to raised money and run in the Country Music Marathon with the help of Team in Training to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. God showed me in those 7 months of training that I had to rely on Him alone. When you’re physically at your breaking point and can’t go any further God can give you strength. I’ve found that out not only in the physical, but in every aspect of life. Many times I try to rely on my own strength…
1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
SCRIPTURES and my thoughts
1 Corinthians 9:23-27 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in the blessings. Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone that competes goes through strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
We need to remember to race for a prize that will last forever and not run aimlessly through this life. Whenever I run aimlessly, my motor skills take over and I forget I’m running. 10 minutes may go by and I don’t even realize it. I don’t want that to happen in real life… to just go through the motions. Many times we run after temporary highs that don’t satisfy us because they are of this world. We run for the nice car, big house, relationships, etc. I’m not saying they’re bad; however they shouldn’t be our main focus.
Hebrews 12:1-3 …let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The devil tries to entangle us in sin so we need to take our eyes off ourselves and focus on Jesus.
WHAT ARE YOU RACING FOR?
WHAT I’M DOING
I’m running a 1/2 marathon by myself in September in support of the World Race. Something I realized yesterday is I’m not truly running it alone because God will be with me every step of the way. My morning runs have become my quiet time with God which I am so thankful for.
During the 1/2 marathon, I’m praying each mile for one of the 11 countries we will be going to. The other 2.1 miles I’ll pray for the World Race Jan 2010 Team!
Please keep me in your PRAYERS. If you’re in the DAYTON, OH area PLEASE come out and support! I need the encouragement. Also, if you would like to donate feel free! 🙂 I have to raise OVER $13,800.
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
