What race are you running?


Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! -Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message

This passage in Hebrews has been on my heart these last couple of months so much that it has challenged me to train for half a marathon. One of our challenges in starting ministry here is teaching the students about passion in what they believe in. So the Lord  lead me to show passion by dedicating myself to train and run the race April 5th. It has been a challenging 7 weeks so far and I have discovered a few things along the way.

First of all that our walk with God is like running a race. A race that requires discipline and training. A race that is not easy and requires lots of hard work. We ourselves determine the speed we run by our determination and dedication. I have also realized that in our walk with God we don't compete against the world but against ourselves, our own flesh. As I run and my body gets weary it wants to stop. My mind and heart want to keep going, but my flesh holds me back. It is a constant battle to get our heart, mind, and body on the same level. This we can only accomplish by focusing on the end of the race. The reward that awaits. This encourages me and my flesh to push harder and harder to get to the finish line. Its a constant battle within ourselves that we must conquer. The world with no doubt will always be against us. The victory for a follower of Jesus comes when we finish the race giving it all we have after crossing that finish line into eternity!


Comments

Matt and Carrie Love said…
You go girl!!! Just in case you feel inspired to share your run with the world... check this out.
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/03/16/tuaw-reader-livestreaming-tokyo-marathon-from-head-mounted-iphon/
March 17, 2009 at 4:49 AM
cougarhoogs said…
good word, sister.
love you!
March 17, 2009 at 8:15 PM
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