Many of you already know that there is now a fitness requirement for the World Race. You must be able to hike 2 miles with your full pack in 35 minutes or less. From the moment we came into camp, the hike was on all of our minds. We all had trained so hard, and we were eager to get this test over with.
We ended up having to wait until the third day of TC. That morning, we all got in groups of five to start our hike. I was with my squad mates: Laura, Pamela, Rebecca, and Sean. Before we knew it, our start time was called and we were off. Instantly, the group dispersed. My super tall friend Sean made gallant strides toward the finish line and quickly passed his shorter legged companions. My friend Laura and I, being somewhat in the same fitness caliber, ended up together in the middle of our group.
The hike started off well. Laura and I had high spirits and high hopes. We even broke out into song at one point to pass the time(Bohemian Rhapsody of course). We were making good time and having a great time doing it.
But then the road started to get hilly, as it always does in life.
We started to feel the consequences of our poor packing from the morning. Our backs began to ache, our calves began to cry for mercy(okay, dramatic, I know, but still). My haphazardly stashed sleeping pad began to shake loose.
But still we pushed on. People cheered from the side lines, and at one point, a man said we had a 7 minute walk to the finish line. Little did he know we only had 7 minutes left on our clock. The pressure was on.
There was a bend in the road, so we could not yet see the finish line. At this moment, the enemy came against me hard.
You can’t do this. You are going to fail. You won’t make it in time. All your hard work will be for nothing.
The words felt like daggers in my heart. Everything in me wanted to give up, but then I realized who it is I am serving.
I prayed out loud. Lord, give us supernatural strength. We can’t do this on our own. Help us to push it out.
And almost instantly, still unable to see the finish line, Oceans by Hillsong begins playing in my head.
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me.”
I sang it in my head, and Laura and I began to run, thinking we were cutting it close.
We rounded the corner, and we could see the finish line. My stomach hurt, my legs burned, and again, the voice of the enemy came against me.
You aren’t going to do this. You will never make it in time. Give up now.
But then I looked up. I saw my friend Sean running towards us from the finish line. He ran right up next to us, and said, “Guys you are almost there. You’ve got this. Just listen to my voice and push it out. Don’t give up.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. Right at the moment when the enemy was coming against me strongest, God sent a friend to speak life and drown out those voices. He sent me my supernatural strength.
Laura and I ran out the last few minutes of the hike, a feat that would’ve been impossible if not for Christ.
We crossed the finish line in 33 minutes.
Even though this hike was one of the hardest parts of training camp, it was by far one of my favorites, because I learned so much about myself, my squad, and Jesus.
The enemy comes against us right before the finish line is in sight. The darkest part of the night is right before the dawn. But even in the darkness, God will give us the strength to push through and finish this race.
Just like I couldn’t do the Fit Hike alone, I can’t do this Race alone. I have a squad of amazing people pushing me on, encouraging me, challenging me, and growing me.
And then I have you. My supporters. I can’t do this without you. And ultimately, I still have $4500 to raise by December 18 if I am wanting to launch at all!
I need your help. Please consider hitting that “support me” tab!
I can’t run this race alone.
Thank you for running it with me. 🙂
