I've been thinking today about training to run a half marathon and actually doing it. I've started to train twice before and both times haven't followed through on finishing my training and running the race. I'm ashamed of having quit instead of pushing through the training and really doing it. I want to actually commit to doing something hard like that and following through till I cross that finish line.
It's interesting that I was thinking about that today, because this morning in my quiet time I was reading in Luke 8 and the parable of the sower. In the explanation of the parable it was talking about the good seed and it said this, "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a good crop." Luke 8:15
The word persevering stood out to me in that passage, because as of late I haven't been persevering in much. I've been so lazy and easily discouraged and haven't pushed myself to do things that really stretch me, and are good for me. So that verse hit me pretty hard and showed me that walking with God is not something that's easy. It's not a stroll in the park, it's a race!
I love to watch the show "The Amazing Race". The teams in that show are in it to win it! They can't just slowly try to complete the challenges, they have to push themselves to do it right and fast! They value the prize so much that they are willing to do things they would never do, and challenge themselves in ways they never would to walk home with that fat check!
I think that I need to view my faith in that way. It's a race and I need to run with my eyes fixed on the prize, Jesus. I can't let myself stop running or get distracted by things on either side of me! I have an incredible prize waiting for me that I might miss out on if I give up!
So this half marathon isn't just a race, it symbolizes so much more for me. This is a picture of how I need to be living my life. I need to run with endurance the race marked out for me! So I think I will challenge myself not just to run this physical marathon, but also to run the spiritual one already marked out for me.
" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
