It’s an unwritten World Race truth that men who embark on this 11-month journey, lose weight.
Women on the other hand, gain.
And unfortunately, I have been a part of the aforementioned group.
But if I’m honest with myself – and you, the unwanted pounds that found their way onto my body came well before January 9, 2014.
A year ago, being in the gym and working out with a personal trainer was a part of my daily routine.
Then, I was blindsided by life.
It was the kind of hit we’ve all experienced at some point – like news of a death in the family, a natural disaster that takes everything once owned, a huge Wall Street financial loss, or in my case, an unexpected break up.
In my time of despair, I found comfort in the King of Kings and … Burger King! I had it my way with burgers, fries, and other artery-clogging deliciousness.
I traded my dumbbells for utensils in a subconscious attempt to fill the hole in my soul.
But here is the truth …
There is a God-sized void in all of us that only He can fill.
No man, no woman, no burger, no fry can comfort us the way our Heavenly Father can.
Now that I’m in month seven of the Race, I’ve finally freed the jump rope from the jail of my pack where it’s been discretely housed.
I’ve carried it from country to country and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used it.
But this month is different.
My team has been reading through the book of Daniel and to accompany our daily devotional, we’ve been doing the Daniel Fast. (As best we can with no Whole Foods Market nearby.)
We’ve been working out daily and I feel like I’m getting back in the groove of exercising.
Recently, I ran a 10k with three of my teammates.
When I decided to run, my body screamed "NO – you’re not ready!" But I had something to prove to myself.
As I ran through the streets of Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh, there were two words I kept telling myself,
“Don’t Stop!”
And I didn’t.
I kept running, when everything in me wanted to quit.
I wouldn’t let myself stop because this 10k was more than 6.2 miles. Just like this World Race is more than 11 months.
The race I’m running is the race of my life and I’m determined to drop the weight.
Not just the physical weight but every load that has kept me from being all that God has called me to be.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
When the race of life gets hard, I encourage you as I encouraged myself on that rainy day, “Don’t Stop!”
Keep running until the end.
I guarantee that nothing is as exhilarating as crossing the finish line in and with God.
With Enduring Love,
Jessica
