the 100IM, one of my favorite swimming events of all time. it‘s quick, it’s technical, and it takes all your energy to finish well.
it starts with a 25 yard fly, then you turn into a length of backstroke, bucket turn into your breaststroke lap, and ending with a 25 yard free.
the Lord has been using this event lately to speak deeply to me and teach me things of Him (thanks for speaking ma language, God!) also, my bud or mae (bro in tico speak) abs pushed me to write this so shoutout to that woman!
the fly length is so fun. it’s off a dive so you are literally “flying” through the water. i kick 15 yards to the dot (or you will be DQed) underwater as hard and as fast as i can and then i pop up to three fast strokes of fly. this length reminds me of my first month SQLing. fast paced, a diving start, intentional to breath at least twice to make sure your preserve enough oxygen for your next three lengths. month 1. training camp.
the back portion reminds me of months 2-3. you see, backstroke is my weakest stroke and feels the most unnatural. it would always take a lot of my energy to put up a good split. the middle but beginning of race 2.0 felt this way. i wasn’t yet flowing in the fullness of anointing i knew was mine to take. i was climbing the learning curve. shame and comparison sought to take me out at the knees so many times. i gave it my all, but felt so out of breath by the end of it.
the bucket turn was month 4. you have to throw your arm diagonally over your face to then make contact with the wall to practically do a backflip- nothing to it haha. it’s, for me, a pause moment, but also one that turns you all around. you always just have to hope that your feet land on the wall at the right angle to make a good push. i didn’t know where i would land after the elongated break at home. would i land well for a solid push off? it turns out yes! i immediately got to jump into deep relationships with my squad babes upon returning to gainesville. i felt strong and ready for guatemala!
the breaststroke leg. months 5-7. guatemala. breaststroke is one of my favorite strokes. it takes precision, timing, intentionally. you also cant become apathetic in this leg because your competition will leave you behind. you have to enter a new flow and rest. it’s a unique stroke that takes a different rhythm than the rest of the strokes. that was guatemala for me, sweet, intentional, filling, light. a good couple of months.
the length i feel that i am in right now is the free length. costa rica, month 8 & 9. this length is the deal breaker. it’s where you squeeze out all the rest of your cell energy. you dig deep and you push hard. your quads are in knots and you can barely stand to hold your breath any longer, but you. can. not. let. up. here. giving up here would completely taint your whole race.
this is where i find myself now. tried, not quiet sure how to answer ‘how are you?’ i so desperately want to squeeze out every bit of discipleship the Lord has for me to give away in this season. reach my full potential and purposes with these people. i want to steward and hold their hearts so well. i desire to not hold anything back.
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run(swim) with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
man, there’s been a lot of things trying to entangle. spiritual warfare, apathy, overwhelming(ness), confusion, frustration. but i know that i get to/ want to/ need to work heartily in ministry here because it is really working for the Lord/ building His kingdom. raking and shoveling is God stuff too. i get to finish my (the race marked out for me) race with perseverance and in His strength, my eyes locked with His. He gives me so much joy to endure, i will not grow weary.
it hasn’t been all easy these last couple of days. but i know the feeling of finishing well. and whether it be 1 minute (59.31 seconds to be exact) or nine months, oh man, it is the sweetest, especially when you know deep down that you gave it your all. i want to finish my race, i pray to finish this one well.
