God speaks to us in our own language; in a way that our brain can grasp. As I’ve been seeking vision and strength for this last month of the race, God reminded me of the marathon.
Running a marathon is different for everyone, but most people who have run one know the proverbial “wall” well. It hits around mile 18 or 20 and happens when you simply run out of gas. It’s at this point where the very clothes on your back feel annoying, where the muscles in your legs go numb, where your stomach is empty, where you feel like laying on the ground and calling it good, and where you have literally nothing left to burn. It’s in this moment that you can choose to quit or decide to simply keep moving. It’s that moment where you choose to dig deep into a storehouse you didn’t know was there and press on.
On this Race that my squad and I are running, I hit the wall here in Costa Rica. Every part of my being was weary and I wasn’t sure if I had gas left. Then the familiar voice of God spoke.
“My power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Faithful am I who called you, and I also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
“Run in such a way that you may win… run not without aim” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
“Hold fast. You do not run in vain or toil in vain.” Philippians 2:16
“Run with endurance fixing your eyes on Me” Hebrews 12:1-2
My Spirit picked up it’s legs and is slowly kicking back into gear. I will rejoice in my weakness and inability to run without God. Every mosquito bite is worth it. Every parasite is worth it. Every moldy bit of clothing is worth it. Every bite of foreign food is worth it. Every day with no personal space is worth it. Every little thing is worth it if God uses my life to bridge just a little more of Heaven and earth. So yes, I feel the sore muscles, but I rejoice because I know the storehouse of my Father will carry me past the 26.2 mile marker. I know He will run at a pace comparable to the strength He is giving me.
Let me be clear: I’m still very much learning what running not with out aim and running with endurance looks like. Fortunately, that is not a lesson just for the Race but for the run of life. For now, I know it looks like simply choosing to show up by going the second mile each day (Matthew 5:41). Sometimes that means staying up late to hear people’s hearts. Sometimes that means raking the ground for the third time in a row with cheerfulness. Sometimes that means simply soaking in a moment instead of planning the next.
You are running right now whether or not you feel like it. Maybe you’re on mile 1 and feeling great or maybe you’re on mile 25 and beat. Regardless of where you are, the invitation to tap into His eternal storehouse is still there. Thank you, Lord, that we don’t have to do any of this in our own strength. That’s such good news, friends!!
Much love,
Abby
P.S. We’ve had a pretty chill week after the house build. It’s been nice to focus on cleaning and making our little jungle bungalow happier. We also got to simple focus on pouring into our local church here by leading youth group and church this week!
