Running with Determination

For a Saturday it was an early start.  I had my alarm set for 6:45 but thankfully I woke up at 6:00.  When planning my run the night before I forgot that I needed to put out Gatorade since I was doing a long run.  I got up and had a can of chicken noodle soup and 16 ounces of GNC endurance formula.  After putting out some fluids I made it home and stretched and was starting my run at 7:00.  After a few miles I had this view.

It was a long run so I had plenty of time for prayer and meditation.  I thought about how my morning started and how the thought crossed my mind to stay in bed.  I had plenty of excuses: I was up late the night before, my bed was warm, it was dark outside, I could take a day off.  But I had decided to run.  I had determined my path and I knew what I had to do.  And so it is with Jesus.  I have decided to follow Jesus.  I must not be deterred.  Galatians 5:7 says, You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?  We must keep running and not let anything keep us from the truth.  

Once we have determined that we are going to follow Jesus we must stay on our path.  The first step may be the most important but after that all of the steps have equal value.  During my run today I counted my steps for a half mile.  I took about 625 steps during that 1/2 mile.  That would have been 16,150 steps today and none more important than the other.  In our run with Christ we must be focused on every step so that we will not be deterred from the truth.

Morning Geese

# New song in my playlist - Newsboys/Live with Abandon.

Running with Obstacles and Determination

I was out the door early this morning.  It was 5:45. It was dark.  70 degrees and cloudy with a 10% chance of rain.  Today's run was 6 miles with miles 2, 4, and 6 being at a faster pace.  There were several obstacles in my way today.  The first obstacle was small and fleeting.  At about 1/4 of a mile a rabbit was in front of me.  It was dark so I didn't see him until I was very close.  I almost stepped on him as he ran in front of me.  There were a couple of cars that passed me and a few in the street that I had to avoid.  No problem. Near the half way point in my run I saw lights facing me.  They were moving slowly and they were bright.  As I got closer I could hear the grinding of gears and the sounds of a powerful engine.  I could then see this monstrous machine with three legs attached to tracks.  This behemoth was heading for me and wasn't going to alter its course.  As I moved to the edge of the road I stepped off of the shoulder.  I was a bit surprised but didn't fall. After avoiding this obstacle I was headed home.  As my watch beeped to let me know I was starting my last mile I knew I was going to have to pick up my pace again, that's when I heard the rain.  It was down the road and coming my way.  As it hit me it was hard and steady.  For a moment I thought to take the short cut home. It entered my mind that I should slow down and take it easy because of the rain.  I decided not to do either.  I would give it my best and try to meet my goal.  I was successful.  My determination for the run overcame the obstacles that were placed before me today.

The story of today's run is very similar to life in Christ.  We will have obstacles.  Some will be small and some will be large.  Some obstacles will be easy to overcome and others more difficult.  If we rely on the Lord and have determination to run the race that is set out before us we will be successful.