The Run Tonight

I just got back from my evening run. When I run, I try my best to stay in a constant state of prayer. I pray for inspiration on every run. Sometimes I receive it and sometimes I do not. Tonight was one of those nights where I received some. Here is how it happened and what inspiration came upon me.

The run tonight had a purpose and that purpose was to return my redbox dvd. The McDonalds is one mile down the road from my condo. So I was expecting a easy 2 mile run. So I stuck that dvd between my body and my elastic red short shorts and took off. It was a easy one mile there but there was a surprise waiting for me at the end of that mile. The McDonalds did not have a redbox dvd machine. I thought to myself “no freaking way, you have got to be kidding me, of all the McDonalds not to have one”. I really wanted to return this dvd because I had had it out for a week now. My only other option was Wal-Mart which was another mile down the road. This meant that I would end up doubling what I really wanted to run tonight. I said alright God, You better have something for me tonight because I really do not want to run this, but I am going to trust You and know that You have something for me.

I’m not totally back in shape yet so the extra 2 miles was going to whip my butt. I made it to Wal-Mart and returned the now super crazy sweaty dvd. I’m on my way back and I ‘m really wondering where the heck this inspiration is. I soon approach the McDonalds on my way back and pump my fist because I only have one mile left.

As soon as I pass the McDonalds I see a HUGE SIGN in front of Walgreens, which is right next to McDonalds, that is advertising their new redbox machine. I was so astonished at what I saw. First I was ticked off, then I laughed about how funny it was and then came the inspiration.

If I would have just stopped and looked around I would have seen the sign at Walgreens and I would not have had to run a extra 2 miles tonight.

This run was a direct example of how my walk with Christ has been lately. If I would just stop and look around and see what God is doing or allowing in my life, instead of jumping to sudden conclusions then I would not have to work so hard in these situations.

If I would have stopped and looked behind me I would have seen the redbox sign at Walgreens and that would have saved me 2 extra miles.

If I would stop and think about what God would want me to do in certain situations then I would not have as much drama due to my actions.

On my last mile of the run I really began to lose my form which really tires out the body and is just bad all around. So even when I am tired during a run I must use all effort possible to maintain my form.

In the same way, us as Christians, no matter how tired we become we must maintain our form and represent Christ rightly.

In the past weeks I have lost form and I have not stopped to take a breather and look around at all the signs that are right in front of my face.

If you were affected by this lack of form in my life then I want to apologize for not stopping to look around and see the easy way that God had for me. Because of my stubbornness I ended running the 2 extra miles.

But the great thing about those 2 extra miles is that I am in better shape now than before.

I pray that this all makes sense to you all.

God is Love
and
Love is Real

Stop settling for the usual and don’t stop until you achieve the supernatural

The soles of your shoes slam into the pavement with each graceful stride. The sound of pebbles crunching under foot is more relaxing than your favorite song. The sun light breaks through the trees and their leaves to temporarily blind you with a beautiful light from above. Wind hits your face and rushes down your throat to your burning lungs. The pain that you now feel is your euphoria; it’s what keeps you going. It enables you to enjoy every next step you take. You know that if you run through it, the feelings that you will feel in the end will be far greater than the pain that you feel now. While thinking this your body is telling you differently. This pain that was once your worst nightmare is now the force behind what motivates you to get through to the end.

You hit a wall. Not a physical wall but a mental wall. You begin to think that you can’t make it to the end. “The distance is too far and I am too weak” are your thoughts. The peeking sunlight that was once blinding and beautiful now feels as if it’s focused through a magnifying glass aimed at you. The burning in your lungs now feels like a fire that cannot be contained. You don’t think you can take another step. You then have two choices. Do I quit and allow this wall to stop me or do I go through it? Can I make this run have a positive or a negative outcome? Will this mental wall that I have allowed to be put up destroy me or will it make me get the most out of my run?

You push through and break down all the mental barriers that were in your head and end the run with a sprint that takes over your body. Your body becomes numb but it still knows what to do, one foot in front of the other. While gasping for dear life and any air that is available, you feel a certain sense of accomplishment in what you just did and now other life barriers don’t seem to be there anymore. With your hands on your hips and your face straight up in the air you begin to inhale and exhale a little more slowly, regaining composure. You pushed your body to the limit and you can’t wait for the next run to see if you can push it even further.

Later that night you decide to relax.

The sweet aroma encircles your nostrils as you take a sip from your favorite cup of coffee. The lighting in the room is calming and relaxing, just right. The room is filled with the scent of snicker doodle cookies on top of fresh ground coffee beans. It’s cold outside but the fireplace is roaring and the sound of its crackling wood soothes your soul. The words before you in the book in which you read tear away at your heart stings and make your heart and soul burn larger than the fire that you sit beside. This book is like no other and you know this. It affects you like no other words put together can. The words of Christ fill your mind as you read this book. They encourage and convict you at the same time. In this setting that you are in, it is perfect for you. You are surrounded by the word of God as you get wrapped in its text and paragraphs. You have reached the high point in your spiritual walk at this point in time, on this very day, in this very room.

You leave this majestic place and go about your way, living life as you usually do. You walk the streets with a smile on your face because of the love that you feel in your heart from your savior.

Is this all that your walk is about? Have you hit a wall of spiritual high? Or do you strive for more? You know that there is more love out there and more grace and more forgiveness. But do you strive past your own personal preference and contentment? God is bigger than you and your spiritual highs. Why do you stop when you think that that is all you need? You could never have enough. Don’t take a break in the middle of your walk, when you come to that wall of spiritual high, keep going. You must keep reading and keep praying and get past that wall of contentment and see what God really has in store for you. Stop settling for the usual and don’t stop until you achieve the supernatural. Don’t allow contentment in your walk with Christ to become a barrier for what Christ really has in store for you. Live everyday as if you’re trying to top yesterday. Mountains and valleys are far more beautiful than a plateau.