Thank You Lord for giving me lungs to breath.
Thank You for muscles to move.
Thank You for legs that work.
Thank You for endurance.
Thank You for blood and a heart that pumps the oxygen through my body.
Breath in. Breath out. Steady my pace. *In* I can do this. *Out* I’m on the home stretch. *In* My legs feel like lead. *Out* My lungs are on fire. *In* If I just walk a minute… *Out* I just need to catch my breath. *In* But I’m almost there. *Out* Just don’t think about the pain. *In* But it hurts so much *Out* Lord, give me strength. *In* Aghh! *Out*
This was my thought process as I ran down the rocky, pothole-filled road in the tiny town of Oromia, Ethiopia this morning. My goal each month is to run at least one 5K in each country. Today was the day. But it was more painful than I had anticipated. At a higher elevation, it was difficult to catch my breath. I am thankful for my friends, Ben and Megersa, who ran with me and motivated me to keep going through the pain.
As I was running, listening to our S Squad Spotify playlist on shuffle, this song came on… “Breathe//Aaron Moses//Eddie James”
Please click HERE and listen as you continue reading.
I don’t typically like listening to slow songs while I’m running, but often times, those are the songs that tend to play while on shuffle in these moments. And more than once, the Lord has spoken to me through these slow songs as I run.
Breath, breath, I’ve got it under control
Breath, breath I am your healer, the one who makes you whole
I am restoring you, I am restoring, I am renewing you, I am renewing you, and I am healing you, and I am healing you, I am healing you right now…
There’s no more hurt, there’s no more pain, there’s no more sorrow, there’s no more shame
Cuz I’ve got you, I’ve got you, I’ve got you
As I listened to those words, while my heart was pounding and my lungs were desperately searching for oxygen, I thought about how much I just wanted to sit down on a comfy couch, lie on my bed, or even on the ground and be able to really breath, enjoy the Lord’s presence and enjoy the song. But just as quickly as those desires flickered through my mind, God spoke to me through this song. He said that in life, those times of reclining on a couch, when we are not in need of anything and simply enjoying the ride, those are not the times when we need to trust Him and focus on breathing the most. The times that are incredibly hard, yet most crucial, to focus on breathing and leaving the rest to God are the times we are in pain, we are exhausted and our endurance is failing us. We say “God, be my strength,” but then, when we are in turmoil, agony, or persecution and our own mind cannot stay motivated, our flesh is weak, we often give up.
Rather, we need to hold EVER MORE tightly to God’s promises, focusing solely on our Papa and trust that He is our strength, no matter how much it hurts. NO, we cannot do it alone. We cannot get through those times without someone to run along side of us and strength from the Lord. But all He is asking us to do is breath and let Him restore, renew, and heal us as we keep pushing forward. And indeed, it is wise to run life alongside friends who are not only running in the same direction as you, but who can also encourage you to trust the Lord and to never give up.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
I’d like to say that I learned my lesson this morning, that I trusted in God’s strength, felt completely and radically renewed by the Lord during this moment of realization, and that Ben’s encouragement kept me motivated to run all the way back. But unfortunately, I gave in to the pain I felt and chose to walk a few moments during our 5K. Nevertheless, I realized that just as in life, there is forgiveness and grace. My friends stayed by my side even though they had the endurance to keep running, and the Lord will also stay by my side and give me grace any time I miss the mark or give in to my fleshly doubts or weaknesses.
If you are struggling with something today, you feel like you are running a race, with no end in sight, and continually have to fight thoughts that plague your mind of how much easier it would be to give in, to quit…. please listen to this song again. Cry out to Papa and tell Him what you need. Ask Him for grace, ask Him for encouragement, even a friend to run alongside you. But then keep running with EXPECTANCE that He will fulfill His promises to you. He IS a good Father. Yes, there are times the Lord leads us into a season of rest, and they are just as necessary. However, there are also times He leads us through a battle, and often the most painful battlefield to endure is the one within ourselves. God does not promise us an easy life, but He does promise to walk through it with us. Be courageous. Hold tight. Trust in your Daddy.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
