For those of you that don’t know, I am running (term used loosely) the Chicago Marathon this year. You can read my story here:
https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/Bonnie-Rimpson
I believe that the process of training and actually running the race is going to be one that transforms my life naturally and spiritually. I have personal goals set and have decided that there will be no excuses. I have started to go to the track to get some training in daily. Yesterday, I walked the curves and ran the straights. The air was so thick and I felt I could hardly breathe, but I pressed through. During the course of the day, my knee began to hurt. I realize that I am out of shape and overweight. I am going to experience pain on this journey to build the strength and endurance I need for this race.
Although I know that I will experience pain, I don’t want to injure myself trying to do too much too fast. The word that God gave me while running that day was consistency. I need to be consistent to see the results that I need to succeed.
So the next day, my knee is still bothering me. I refuse to give into excuses. I get up early, go to the track, and walk. I use this time to pray. I’m feeling pretty bad for only walking. I commit to do more time since I can’t go as fast. As I’m praying God assures me that it’s okay, but I can’t loose the feeling of disappointment that I have in myself (dumb devil in my ear). I go around the track another time and when I reach the other side, there is a turtle on the tack. I real live turtle! I laugh thinking I must be the distracted hare from the storybook. Then I hear slow and steady wins the race. God has a sense of humor! I had to stop and take a picture. I knew no one would believe me
After my encounter with the turtle, I walked another 15 minutes. I got home, elevated my legs and iced my knee. I might not be the fastest on the track, but I WILL FINISH!
The beautiful thing that I’ve learned while running is that nobody is really competing against each other. Everyone is just trying for their personal best. The people that I meet while training are some of the most encouraging people out there. While passing by, all I hear is “keep it up, looking good, your awesome, etc.,”. Imagine if we all encouraged each other like this in other areas of our lives without competing, but just running for our personal best. I believe many more people would be walking in their purpose.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
The Race of Faith
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I encourage you today to run the race in front of you. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Shoot for your personal best. Be consistent. Slow and steady is okay as long as your moving forward. When you’re ready, pick up the pace. It might hurt, but it won’t break you. YOU ARE AWESOME!
Father, we thank you for giving us the strength and endurance to move forward. Forgive us for looking at what others are doing instead of focusing on our personal best. We know we can do nothing without You. Teach us how to run the race of faith laying aside everything that is not like You. We want to look towards You as we run so that You will get all the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/Bonnie-Rimpson
I believe that the process of training and actually running the race is going to be one that transforms my life naturally and spiritually. I have personal goals set and have decided that there will be no excuses. I have started to go to the track to get some training in daily. Yesterday, I walked the curves and ran the straights. The air was so thick and I felt I could hardly breathe, but I pressed through. During the course of the day, my knee began to hurt. I realize that I am out of shape and overweight. I am going to experience pain on this journey to build the strength and endurance I need for this race.
Although I know that I will experience pain, I don’t want to injure myself trying to do too much too fast. The word that God gave me while running that day was consistency. I need to be consistent to see the results that I need to succeed.
So the next day, my knee is still bothering me. I refuse to give into excuses. I get up early, go to the track, and walk. I use this time to pray. I’m feeling pretty bad for only walking. I commit to do more time since I can’t go as fast. As I’m praying God assures me that it’s okay, but I can’t loose the feeling of disappointment that I have in myself (dumb devil in my ear). I go around the track another time and when I reach the other side, there is a turtle on the tack. I real live turtle! I laugh thinking I must be the distracted hare from the storybook. Then I hear slow and steady wins the race. God has a sense of humor! I had to stop and take a picture. I knew no one would believe me
After my encounter with the turtle, I walked another 15 minutes. I got home, elevated my legs and iced my knee. I might not be the fastest on the track, but I WILL FINISH!
The beautiful thing that I’ve learned while running is that nobody is really competing against each other. Everyone is just trying for their personal best. The people that I meet while training are some of the most encouraging people out there. While passing by, all I hear is “keep it up, looking good, your awesome, etc.,”. Imagine if we all encouraged each other like this in other areas of our lives without competing, but just running for our personal best. I believe many more people would be walking in their purpose.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
The Race of Faith
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I encourage you today to run the race in front of you. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Shoot for your personal best. Be consistent. Slow and steady is okay as long as your moving forward. When you’re ready, pick up the pace. It might hurt, but it won’t break you. YOU ARE AWESOME!
Father, we thank you for giving us the strength and endurance to move forward. Forgive us for looking at what others are doing instead of focusing on our personal best. We know we can do nothing without You. Teach us how to run the race of faith laying aside everything that is not like You. We want to look towards You as we run so that You will get all the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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