The only modifications to the original document are the scriptures I’ve indented and italicized.
Date: April 16, 2014
It’s funny, but my running and my spiritual life have many parallels. They both require me to get out of the way. The first step to that is being humble. I started running 4 years ago in April, which is about the same time my self-life hit rock bottom. When I first started running I really couldn’t run more than a third of a mile without being totally wiped. A very sad truth, but I kept at it every day and was able to go a little farther as the weeks went on. Simultaneously, my Lord was working something out in me every day, a little bit at a time. It is funny because my running time also became a time I spent with my Lord. He was with me every step of the way.
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
— Isaiah 41:10
With running you can have a bad run or an amazing run, just like in your spiritual walk. Some days you rejoice and bask in His amazing grace and other days you cry out to him with the desperation of a lost child.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
— Psalm 147:3
I decided to run my first 5k without really training specifically for it. I had been running 7 days a week for about a year and thought it would be a nice challenge. I was so nervous the week leading up to the 5K. On that day it was just me and the other runners. I was taking on this 5K alone. I really didn’t want anyone there cheering me on. I had all sorts of fears like, what if I couldn’t do it, or worse, what if I came in last? Since I was still what I considered new to this running thing, I was unsure of myself. The same thing was happening in my spiritual life. He had just allowed me to break and was in the process of rebuilding me. I was still very fragile and would fall back on my foolish fears instead of trusting completely in Him.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your path.
— Proverbs 3:5-6
Well, as it turns out everything went well and my fears were just me getting in my own way once again. Now, fast forward to the winter of 2014. I had started training during the previous summer for a half marathon but never got further than 10 miles per run. It just wasn’t the right time. Just like in the spiritual life, I was pushing myself to do something that wasn’t right for me at the time. It was probably because my motivation was wrong. I was trying to prove something to my flesh, which never amounts to anything but wasted time and usually disappointment.
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge.
— Psalm 61:1-3a
Since I had learned that I could run longer than 5 miles during my summer training, I upped my mileage both during the week and on my long weekend run. I spent more time with my Lord the longer I ran. Running was becoming something I just loved doing. It wasn’t always easy to get out of bed before the sun was out or when the temperatures were sometimes single digit, but I had a desire to. It is just like those days that are busy, you’re tired, and you know that Bible class is at 7:30pm and you aren’t really motivated to go, but you do because you have a desire for Him and want to know Him more. Frankly, you love him.
Well, each week of training for a half marathon pushes you further than you thought you could go. I discovered the secret to it. Just take it mile by mile. I stopped looking at the enormity of it and tackled it step by step instead. Although it was tough, it was also amazing at the same time, that feeling I got when I would turn onto my street knowing that my body was able to go that extra mile. Wow! I believe my Lord was giving me a glimpse of what happens in life when you just stay focused on where He has you right now. Sometimes it’s hard and other times easy, but when you get to where He is taking you, WOW!
Sunday, March 16, 2014 was the New Bedford Half Marathon. I knew I had put in the training and was so excited for this run that I was about to share with 2 other amazing women of Christ. I received a text on Saturday that shut out any fears that may have been popping up. The text read, “Tomorrow is your personal race with God. He will ‘mount you on wings like eagles’. Keep your focus on Him.” That is just what I did and the run was amazing. My Lord ran with me every step of the way. He was the power behind me.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
— Isaiah 40:29-31
Love in Christ,
Tammy Collins
