It amazes me how the older I get the faster time seems to fly although it never changes. There are always 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year. God is a the author of time. He is the only one that has the power to make the sun stand still or darkness cover the earth. What I have learned is that it is a matter of how you use those seconds, minutes, and hours in the day that make all the difference.
If you've been following this blog you know that it is two-fold. My intention is to have my outer/inner beauty more closely match one another. I've shared alot of what God is teaching me through my spiritual growth but have neglected to share the physcial aspect....mainly because I've not made much progress. My goal is to be able to run a half marathon by the end of the year. I have a dear friend who has been walking with me at the park but tonight, as many nights, I was too tired/busy and asked for a break. My friend is great, she pushes me when I need it but I've failed to have a plan. In order to succeed I need to plan so that I can reach my goal.
I'm not sure where this quote came from but it is so true-- "In order to be in the race you have to show up." My problem has been that I'm not showing up. Paul knew alot about this. In I Corinthians 9:24-27 it says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Thousands ran the Houston Marathon this past weekend. I know a few people who ran in excellent time. They went into strict training before tackling a 26 mile run. Not only do I have to go into strict training for my mind but also my body.
The physical and spiritual are connected. If I want to succeed I have to be willing to give God both. While I fell short the first thirty-one days of the year I have 334 more opportunities to submit body and soul to God to achieve my goal. As such, I need to leave behind those things that will not help me move toward my goal. Hebrews 12:1 says ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Whether you know it or not you are in a race today. God has a plan for my life and yours but we must lay down those things that hinder us from moving forward.
Let's circle back to that whole time thing--we all have the same amount of time every day to accomplish what God desires. I've noticed on those days that I put Him first and seek after His desires that I accomplish all that I needed to whereas if I go about my day without Him I don't feel the sense of accomplishment. He's there leading the way in your race--follow His lead and in the end you can say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
