For almost 10 years of my life, I ran cross country and track and field. I started to love distance running when I was in 5th grade, and my love for the sport only grew as I worked harder and achieved goals I set for myself. Distance running is a special sport. It requires endurance, stamina, and mental strength among many other things. A willingness to go on and not give up is important. As I began my fundraising journey, it quickly became tough to not become discouraged. I looked at my end goal of over $17,000 and immediately panicked. How was I supposed to raise $17,000 as a full time college student? I wanted to cry. I wanted to throw a pity party. But The Lord, in His sweet, gentle way, reminded me of something my cross country coaches used to tell me before I raced.
“Take this race one step, one breath, one mile at a time.”
One step. One breath. One mile. My Jesus knew that this reminder was what I needed to press into deeper places of courage and trust. Focusing on the finish line won’t help me get there any faster. If I can take one step, one breath, and complete one mile of this race at a time, I can focus on what The Lord is doing, why He is doing it, and not become discouraged in the process. Yes, there will be cramps and a few hills along the way, but I will always have one step left in me. One breath left in me. One mile left in me. And if I have that, I can trust that Jesus will take that step and breath and run that mile with me.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1
