Run this race before you & Never give up!

“Run this race before you and never give up. You should remove from your life anything that would get in your way, and the sin that so easily holds you back.” Hebrews 12:1

Lately I’ve been struggling trying to meet all the goals and preparation for my journey on the world race. Launch is 7 months away. In my headit seems like a long way away, but in reality it’s not. In 7 months, I will be working, fundraising, receiving counseling, reading, growing spiritually, mentally, and emotionally stronger. It’s amazing that I’ve already come so far since October, but I still have a long way to go. 

Last week I was feeling particularly down in the dumps. It seemed like different struggles piled on by the hour. I needed refuge, escape. On Tuesday, my boyfriend suggested we go to the gym and run. Let me just say, I am not in the best shape, physically speaking, but reluctantly I went anyways. I walked over to my usual treadmill, started it up, and searched for the perfect running song on my iPod. First I started off slow, gaining my pace as I went. I wasn’t really feeling it, until a thought occurred… why not run to the song, Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United. I wasn’t sure if the cadence matched the pace I was going, but decided to try it out anyway. I pressed play—It was like I was put into a trance of sorts while listening. 

I ran like I never have before. That may sound strange, but it’s hard to explain. My imagination synced up with the lyrics and I was running on a sandy beach with crashing waves to my right and a breezy, grassy field to my left. I raced straight ahead into colorful bursts, and every step I took appeared to go in slow motion as I meditated on each word. It felt like a dream—made up, yet also incredibly real.

Anytime I felt tired or weak, I just focused on the words, 

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me, Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior.” 

After mile one, a Bible verse popped into my head—an old favorite, “Run this Race before you and never give up…” All the struggles from the past days, weeks, months just seemed to melt away with the sweat dripping down my face. It was like I was being purified from the inside out. I felt like I was floating in mid air. The room’s white walls were in clearly in front of me, but I wasn’t there spiritually, emotionally, or mentally. I felt unstoppable. I couldn’t help but smile. I felt no pain, no exhaustion, just a supreme love that reverberated and echoed within me.

Despite everything that has weighed on my heart, slowed me down, and produced fear, I know that God is taking care of me. He changes my inner thoughts from “I can’t” and replaces them with the words “I can.” I will run this race before me and not give up. I will go on the World Race. It will happen. This is my calling and I will not give up. Because even when the going gets rough, I know God will be there to carry me through. 

“My soul will rest in your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine…”

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 

Here is a link to that song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw

“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 12:1-3

This was taken last year while running in my hometown! Check out that beautiful sunrise!

(the guy in the picture is my boyfriend).