What a day it was!! Last Saturday I woke up at the crack of dawn(5 am) to get ready for the race. Breakfast:oatmeal with brown sugar and dried fruit- Check! Mandarin Orange Spark for Energy- Check! Kick Butt race shirt and bib- Check! Directions to the Race- Check! I was ready to go. After the hour long drive to the Dallas Arboretum my adrenaline was pumping and I was eager to make it to the start line. Only problem was, evidentally about 5,000 other people were too! The gun sounds marking the beginning of the race. I literally walked 7 minutes before crossing the start line and then jogged for another 2 miles before I finally made it to my pace group. I must admit that I was a bit frustrated because I knew my PR for a 10K was shot due to a slow start. Looking back, I see this slow start as a symbol of my spritual journey. So often, I jump the gun with the Lord, wanting to sprint to the finish line of tasks He sets before me. But because He knows me better than I know myself, he makes it impossible for me to get ahead of where He wants me to be on the path towards righteousness. By the time I get to a good steady pace enjoying the beautiful scenery White Rock Lake has to offer I think, "Oh well, at least I will finish strong!" So, with my ipod in tow, I set out to finish the rest of the race with endurance! The first and last song I listened to during the race was "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns. The words of the chorus help to get me thru so many long runs, "The voice of Truth tells me a different story, the voice of Truth says do not be afraid, the voice of Truth says this is for My glory. Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of Truth!" I finished the race in 65 minutes, no PR by any stretch of the imagination, with tears rolling down my face praising the One who gave me the strength to run with endurance.
The day that I made the decision to sit down and begin my moral inventory, will forever be etched into my heart. It was a cold and dreary winter day, much like the state of my spirit. In all honesty, I was DREADING the task at hand. Who in their right mind would want to make an account of every painful memory from the past as well as every sin committed against others?!?! As I sat down at a Starbucks with my favorite flavored coffee beverage in hand, I began praying Psalm 129:23, “Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover…if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.” I knew that there was pain from my childhood buried so deep that only He would have the power to bring to the surfaces. For so long, I had masked and/or stuffed the wounds in my life, rather than allowing Him to heal them. Within minutes of my prayer, the memories came pouring down like the rain I could hear outside. Just a little side-note, if you ever decide to take a painful j...
Comments