Those that know us are aware of our passion for running. In fact, last July, the grace of God allowed us to complete a marathon together – pictured above. Elated and relieved would have been my first feelings upon crossing that finish line. There are a number of things that can be said for running 42.2km – perhaps the word ‘crazy’ might be going through your mind and I’m sure you wouldn’t be alone in thinking so 🙂 Well whatever comes to mind, the one thing that is for certain is that it takes endurance!
God has taught us many things about endurance, both in the natural and the spiritual. Some of the scriptures He brought to life throughout our training included:
- 1 Cor. 9: 24-27 (MSG)
You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
- Phil. 3:14 (NKJV)
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- And of course, the ever so popular, Hebrews 12:1-2 (MSG)
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! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. 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!
God spoke to us through these scriptures around disciplining our bodies through the training and reminding us that we have dominion over it. I was constantly amazed at what the body was capable of. Things I thought were not possible, became not only possible, but achieved through consistency and a short period of time. He reminded us that the race we run, in the spiritual, is not for a temporary prize but for one that is eternal in Christ Jesus. We needed to remember that it is all unto His glory.
By far the scripture that was key in our training journey was that in Hebrews. One Saturday morning, when I was out on a 3 hour long run, the Lord gave me a vision in the natural of a lone tree on one of the hills that I often passed on this training route. The Lord spoke to me and showed me that that tree was Him standing there with His arms wide open beckoning me to come to Him and that He loved me. It gave me motivation to run all the more faster towards Him. As I got closer, I heard Him say “Look to me. I am all you need. I am the author and finisher of your faith.” So I kept looking up at the tree. At this stage I was nearing about the 20km mark in my run and I was a little fatigued. There was a rise in the road and big thick trees lined the side the road, seemingly distracting or crowding out this tree on the Hill. I heard the Lord’s voice again saying “these trees that you see represent the distractions and circumstances of life. Look past them and look unto me. I am still here. I am always here and I will sustain you.” Sure enough I peered through the trees and kept looking up. I could still see the tree. My legs were quite fatigued coming up this hill, but I was reminded that He would sustain me. As I got to the top of the hill, the view was clear again and I felt a shot of adrenalin through my body to continue on my way. The Lord continued to say “I am your provider. Always look to me no matter what you are going through, because I AM the author and finisher of your faith and will sustain you through all times” – WOW! I felt such renewed energy and no longer fatigued.
The Lord is amazing! His love empowers us to run after Him and continue to look to Him to sustain us in ALL things. I love that He has shown us so much in the natural using our passion for running. We not only want to run well, but we want to finish well!
~ D
