Half Marathon

Yesterday, I had the privilege of finishing a race I had never run - a half marathon. In the first 2 miles, we gained 500 ft. in elevation. It was brutal and exhilarating! We knew we had trained hard and were prepared to run 13.1 miles, but we had never run this course before. Nothing but experience could have truly given us a realistic look at what was ahead. When we got to the top and started our decent, we got a blast of headwind. The entire 1/4 mile downhill we were running into a VERY strong wind. We weren't expecting that! We were hoping for a nice recovery to continue our race. The spiritual implications are strong, aren't they? We can prepare, we can be ready but until we truly have life experiences that stretch us, we do not know how strong & mighty our God is. Even when we are expecting to coast for a while, God can step in and give us a new challenge in the midst of our rest.

We made up time and were set for a great finish. I hit the wall at 11.5 miles. I was running with a dear friend who has run many long races before. She had been letting me set the pace between mile 10 - 12 then she was taking over to finish strong. I panicked! I couldn't fathom not being in control. I knew there was no way I could run faster, I was barely keeping it emotionally together as it was. She saw that all I needed was for her to be next to me. We were silent and I picked up the pace. She took over in the last mile and she didn't up our speed. We continued to run in silence. It was the most encouraging aspect of the race. God has given us words to communicate with each other every day but God uses the presence of friends in our life to comfort when all we need is to know we are not alone.

As we rounded the corner and saw the finish, we were renewed. Hearing our names as we came to the line was fulfilling. We crossed and knew it was all over for the day. Our goal was accomplished. But more than finishing a half marathon yesterday, I found God speaking I Corinthians 9:24-26a to me this morning:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, run in such a way, as not without aim;