You know how people sometimes say that life is not a sprint but a marathon? I know what it feels like to run a marathon, and I also have a bit of an understanding about life and I guess I have really been reflecting on this whole idea of my life being a race. I guess that it makes sense, I mean the trip I am on is called the World Race, and in Hebrews 12, Paul refers to the christian life as a race.
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 with perseverance the race marked out for us, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-2
I am going to take a few minutes and just be completely honest with everyone, if this life is a marathon I feel like I have been stuck running miles 13 through 24 for the past few years. Let me explain a bit about what I mean. In a marathon there are a few stages that you go through. The first half, or 13 miles is relatively easy, your legs feel strong, you have energy and are usually moving at a good pace. After mile 13 comes the hard miles, the middle miles. During these middle miles you might find yourself questioning your sanity and wondering if you have enough to make it to the finish. These miles can be full of ups and downs, strange pains, and exhaustion, but you have to press through these in order to experience the joy set before you, the finish.
I guess I have grown a bit weary in this race, I have become a bit confused as to why I am running, I started looking down at the pavement instead of looking up to the goal. Can anyone relate to me in this? For most of my walk with Jesus I have been striving, the joy I have experienced has been fleeting at best, and in those moments when I feel myself growing closer to reaching the 26.2 mark, I abruptly find myself back at mile 13, faced with the daunting task of pressing through the pain all over again.
There was a quote that I read once that went something like this, “If running doesn’t hurt, then you’re doing it wrong.” Subconsciously, I guess I have brought this same mindset into my walk with Jesus. I keep telling myself that men have been put in prison, stoned, shot, and worse all in the name of Jesus, and my little problems don't even compare to those. At the same time I find myself wondering what Jesus meant when he said that his burden is light and his yoke is easy. I believe those words, but I just find it hard to experience them in my life.
Dean Karnazes, an ultra marathon runner, once said these words and I feel they apply well here: “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” In the above scripture God tells us to run the race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and considering all the pain that he went through. I will not stop running this race, I might struggle at times with pain in each step, I might have to crawl, but I wont give up. There is a finish line ahead, I don’t see it yet, I feel like I might not get there, but the truth is with every passing breath I am getting closer. You finish a race one step at a time, life is the same, moment by moment, day by day until we reach the goal and obtain the prize…Jesus Christ. Stay strong, press on, live for the eternal reward. Blessings.
My grandparents and my Mom after the Green Bay Cellcom Marthon last year.
Ministry Update
Even though I have really been fighting some internal struggles this week God has been really moving in the bars here in Chiangmai. Just last night one of the girls Noi who works in the bar put her faith in Christ! Pray that she would chose to join the Change Program to learn new job skills and also be mentored in her new faith. The bar street has been really empty this past few weeks! This has been one of our prayers and God has definitely answered. Some nights when we go out there are bars filled with women but no customers. Pray that this would continue and that the bars would have to change their business. The Love Acts ministry is in the process of opening a home for four young boys who need care. They are children of one of the women in the bar, but she doesn't have the money to support them. Pray that men and women would come to help out with this new ministry and also the ministry that is already established in the bars. Love Acts is in need of financial donations too for the new house and also the living cost for the boys so If you would like to be a part of that let me know! Both of the girls that were working in the bar that my team was in are no longer there and there are no girls left in that bar. One of them Kimmy, is going to school, the other girl Fa Im not sure what she is doing. Be in prayer that both of these girls stay out of the bars.
Playing pool with some children who work around the bars selling flowers each night.
