If you don't already know I'm working on my fitness level. I want to be stronger, more fit, healthy and to be honest, skinner. I've taken up running with a good friend. We go early in the morning and it's a great way to start the day. We have wonderful conversations and she pushes me to run father than I think I can.
So, today, no exception. The goal is 4 miles with no stops. I know I can do this. I did 3.65 last week so 4 should be no big deal. But it was hard today. My legs felt like lead and I struggled to breathe but I wanted to finish. It was mental. Push through the tough part and reach the goal.
It might seem strange but I am constantly asking the Lord for help while I'm running. Not just to get me through physically (although that is helpful) but I see it running as a metaphor for my spiritual life. There are definitely struggles and I need Him to get me through the dark, hard places spiritually like I need Him to get me through physically. So, today I'm asking God to give me physical endurance to get to 4 miles and also asking Him to give me spiritual endurance as well. Help me reach the goal of spiritual maturity. Don't let me give up for settle for where I am.
And then it happened.
Leg cramp!
Yep, at 3.5 miles I came to a stop. It was painful. Very painful. This leg cramp came right in the middle of a conversation about our walks with God. Not surprising. My first thought was Satan doesn't want me to have this conversation. Well, we finished the conversation and the last 1/2 mile at a slow pace but we finished.
And as I thought about what had happened on the way home, I my thoughts kept going toward our spiritual leg cramps. What are the things in our life that suddenly stop us from reaching our spiritual goals? What circumstances does Satan throw at me? What things slow me down, discourage me?
I'm not sure I have the answer to all those questions, but I'm going to continue to ask the Lord to reveal my spiritual leg cramps. (And I'll ask Him to prevent my physical ones!) I want to finish the race God has for me and I want to finish it running!
Let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2