Adventures in Missions recommends that we have a fitness level high enough to run 3 miles in 30 minutes – or at least they say this is a good goal to keep in mind when preparing oneself for the World Race. In an attempt to test my skills in this area, I set out to Cal Poly’s track, music and timer in hand.
Usually around the second mile (and sometimes in between miles…), I’m winded beyond reason, and must slow to a walk in order to regain enough breath to continue. My goal today was to run the first mile, walk a lap, run the next three – to complete the second mile – and then repeat the walk/run pattern for the last mile. After 10 minutes I was 1/3 of the way done; one mile down…two to go. I walked a lap, and then began jogging again. Half way through the next lap, my side was killing me, my strength was dwindling, and my confidence was lowering. “I’ve run further than this,” I thought, “I soo should be able to do at least two miles…God, please give me Your strength! I need to be able to do this!”
With a sliiiiiiight new-found determination I kept going. As I completed the second, and then the third lap of the second mile, I realized I was no longer heaving. In fact, I felt great! My legs were a little tired, but my breathing was fine, and there was no pain! Soon, the second mile was over, yet I didn’t feel like I needed to slow down, as I had after the first mile. So, with a word of praise to our Abba, I continued running.
I finally came to a walk – third mile completed!!
Time: 32 minutes!
Wow! I was amazed, considering last time I tried this (several months ago…), I only accomplished 2 miles! Praise Jesus! It was here that I felt God’s gentle whisper say, “see, Keri, you can depend on Me even for this! In fact, you can depend on Me in every area of your life! Yup, that’s right, your finances, fundraising, relationships, fitness, school work…etc. Yeah, yeah, you may already know this, but you and I both know you don’t always apply it. Soooo, you just keep on running, and I’ll provide the energy and endurance! Just depend on, and trust in me! I AM sufficient for all your needs!”
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalm 37:23
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit….Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Ephesians 3:16, 20
I’m so glad God teaches lessons like this in what seems like the smallest details of our lives! I have a feeling He’s showing me this in a small area, so I can see and understand it clearly when I’m required to depend on Him in areas that are harder, or less clear…when faith becomes essential. As we commence on a different sort of race – a journey around the World, with details, opportunities, and possibilities we cannot yet even hope to fathom – dependence on God will be a crucial necessity! We CAN fully trust that He will provide every ounce of strength, love, hope, determination, joy, endurance, energy, and every penny we will need during the World Race (and before and after as well =D ).
Thank You, Lord that we can trust You! Thank You for Your faithfulness and provision! For Your goodness and grace!! You. Are. AWESOME! I pray we all will remember to depend on You in and for EVERYTHING! Thank You for allowing each one of us to join You in allllll you are doing around the World! I know you will bring sooo much glory to Yourself through us as you direct our steps each day!
AMEN!! 😀
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2a
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
