Training

For the past month or more I have been training for a half marathon.  First, before you get any crazy notions, let me set the record straight - I am NOT a runner.  I am not a lover of running.  So why sign up for a half marathon?  Great question! (I have wondered that myself many times during this training! ha!).  I think for me personally, I have always wondered if I could make it.  I also thought I could say - on "this" birthday year I ran a half marathon.  So for me, it's a goal I've set.  Which brings me to point number two - I'm normally not a goal setter by default. It's not my first instinct to wake up in the morning and make a list of all the things I'd like to accomplish that day (that would be my husband - good thing we've got some balance in this family!).

As I have been training, I've noticed some interesting connections in my brain. 

While I am not one to set goals or have awesome follow through skills, I know that if I don't stick with this training plan I will not be ready for race day.  Every time during a run that I feel like I want to quit, I remember that this is only temporary and that I will feel so much better (like I accomplished something) when I am done (which is true).  If I were to stop running, I would feel defeated and discouraged and it would totally mess with my head (I've found running to be very psychological).  But after each run and adding on an additional mile, I am amazed at what my body can accomplish, I feel stronger.  I still get very nervous before each run, but I have to take that first step and then keep my feet moving.

This is so closely connected to our spiritual race.

While we are here on earth, the Bible talks about us running the race, our goal being eternity with Christ.  But I can easily wake up each morning and get distracted and lose focus of my main goal.  Instead of living for the eternal, I get caught up in the things of this world that can entangle me and slow me down, leaving me feeling discouraged and disheartened.  I need to keep with the training plan - stay connected to God's word, which holds the ultimate guide to how to navigate through the race.  This time on earth is temporary and therefore, when I am in a trial I can move my feet one at a time and know that one day I will feel better and stronger, having gone through the struggle. And I do need some encouragement along the way, I need some people to say keep going!

  "...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith"    Hebrews 12:1-2

 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable"  1 Corinthians 9:24-25