Running at Word-Filled Wednesday

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but THOSE WHO HOPE IN THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH......THEY WILL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY..." Isaiah 40:29-31

I'm not a runner by nature. Nope.

As a kid, I was overweight, so I felt self-conscience when I ran. I remember when I was really young my friend told me, "My mom says you look like a sack of potatoes when you run." Didn't run much after that.

Didn't run track.

Didn't run in college.

But, I have always LONGED to run. As an adult I would always use the excuse that it hurt my knees. I would TRY to run, but would only get about a half a block before I quit.

Now, walking...... I am an avid walker and love to walk MILES. I walk hills. I walk fast. I swing my arms. I "prayer walk", bringing my journal. I LOVE walking. Walking is easy.

But, last April I began to seriously run. I asked a friend to help me....to "train" me.

Running is hard.

I love it.

I hate it.

With running I have to FOCUS. I have to "be in it." I have to push myself.

Or, I easily revert back to a walk. My body WANTS to go back into a walking stride.

Walking is easy.

Running is hard. After the first mile (but I HAVE to push myself even in that first mile!) my chest starts to explode. My leg muscles begin to ache. It's uncomfortable. I don't WANT to go on... I want to WALK.

Walking is what I know. It is what my muscles know. I have been walking for years.

So, when I am running, if I am not AWARE, not keeping focus, my body naturally wants to STOP the run and go back to a walk.

And so it is spiritually....

Pressing on.....pressing IN can be hard.

It is easy to fall back into our comfortable habits, comfortable mindsets. Our spiritual bodies want to STOP the "run" and go back to what is easy. But, to get better, to get "fit", we must stretch ourselves spiritually. We must PRESS IN and PRESS ON. When our minds revert back to those old mindsets and habits, we must continue to PUSH.

Maybe God has called you to PUSH yourself, stretch yourself. Maybe He has called you to fast, but you have not been willing. Maybe God has called you into an area of obedience.....to give up a secret sin or to forgive someone who has hurt you. Maybe God has called you into an area of ministry, but you are afraid. Maybe you have lived in an area of deception and God is calling you to walk in Truth, to be honest with yourself, honest with Him. Maybe you have never read the Word before. Yes, you have a bookcase of "religious books", but have not gone deeper. Maybe it feels uncomfortable.

Whatever the way God is stretching you, PRESS IN!

When my run is over, I feel GREAT! I am covered with sweat. My body feels good.

....let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith.....Hebrews 12:1-2

Lord, help me to "run" spiritually. Give me ears to hear You when You call me to something deeper. Give me strength! I love You, Lord!

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