Since I have become a runner in the last several years I now understand and can take in so many more verses of scripture from the Lord. It is because of my experiences on the road and in races that life can be so much more clear and make sense with these scriptures. Did you know that run or some form of it is said at least 109 times in scripture? There may be a ton more words than that in scripture, but I was very surprised to see that number. Who knows why, I would like to think the fact that everyone in that time walked or ran almost anywhere, but who really knows. There are scriptures such as "you were running such a good race, who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth in Galatians 5. I can't tell you how many times in a race I have been cut off and I have to stop abruptly and change the direction I am running, or how many times in life I feel as though I am following exactly where the Lord wants and something will happen and I will jump on the curb and wonder what just happen. I will jump into old habits that are not where I need to be.
There is a spot in Corinthians where the writer is talking about Running the race and completing the task of sharing the gospel. There is another spot in Hebrews that I'm going to focus on that said, "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Heb, 12:1 to be exact) Have you ever wondered why in the world it is that the Lord put you on this race coarse? Do you think you taken a wrong turn and went off course, or you feel like this section of the course is never going to end? I think I'm at that point! I'm really getting tired and getting to my brick wall of this section of the course. When I left ministry full time I knew I was leaving and going into the door the Lord had opened for me. I knew that this section of the course would have its hills, road hazards ex cetera (don't know if thats the right word or not etc) however I never would have dreamed that my race course would be filled with lots of mud and junk that I would have to sludge through. (a new pair of shoes won't help this mess out) I was talking with a friend today, we all had a tough day today. She had gotten flowers delivered to her because she had a tough day, and I said well at least you have someone to send you flowers to, to brighten your day. Lord I need you to bring me a running partner, because my legs are sure getting tired of running by myself! I need a Rob. :) So the verse says Run with perseverance the race set out for you. What I didn't include was the verse before it: "Because we are surrounded with such a great cloud of witness, let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles us and let us run....." I need to figure out who my great cloud of witnesses are! I already know what my sin so easily entangles me. I have figured out that when I feel hurt by the Lord and I feel angry and upset with him I decide to run. I don't know about you, but I'm not one to stick around people who I feel like hurt me. I tend to stray away from those people. I know the Lord has no desire to hurt me, or to see me sad, however He does everything at His timing. Of course His timing is not my timing (course when is it for anyone?) Let us run with perseverance. I'm very good at sticking things out, so good sometimes in my races that I have passed out! yea for the med tent folks! Perseverance to me goes hand in hand with a greek word I learned a few years ago Hupomone. The word means no surrender, the unwillingness to give up a fight. I don't give up easily, but after today's very hard day I want to give up the fight. Its not worth my sanity. Perseverance to me is the unwillingness to concede to the fact that the Lord has no one for me, after all the Lord did not promise He made someone for everyone, but if it is a desire of my heart should I give it up? I would hope I wouldn't have to give it up, but would that just make life simpler. Maybe if I decided there was no one and moved on with whatever it is that I want to be when I grow up, I would be much happier. I'll work on that.
So I close out tonight and ask what is your perseverance? What does your course look like? To use the phrase from a very close friends father, "some of us have been through some very tall grass." I don't want to ever say my life is horrible, because it truly could be so much worse! I am praying that things will get better and my perseverance to go a hidden road hill will come back. You must determine your stance and plant your feet for the fight. NEVER SURRENDER!
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