With the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Marathon coming up, I admire those I know who are
participating in one of the events. For various reasons, running hasn’t been
something I’ve taken on for a long time. I’m just a boring walker. (Not of The Walking Dead zombie
variety!)
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I had been ignoring the
weight gain of the last couple of years that is due to hormonal changes and
stress, so I am now faced with the reality of changing some of my eating
habits-- more vegetables for one, less on-demand chocolate for another. I’m also
working on increasing my exercise, whether walking through the neighborhood,
getting on the treadmill, popping a walking DVD into the player, or working out with weights.
Gone are the days in which I
could work this hard and lose five pounds in a week. That’s been my problem
lately, I want to give up too soon. I am trying to get it into my head and
heart that lifelong fitness is a marathon, not a sprint.
Many other things are also like this in other areas of life. Broken relationships take time, love and patience to repair. Building a
good marriage takes perseverance. Overcoming bad habits takes a relentless commitment to change. Writing a
three or four hundred page novel doesn’t happen in a day. It can take months or
years, but you have to take the first step by writing the first word, first
paragraph, first page--and repeat.
Those preparing for the
marathon this weekend didn’t start last week. They’ve been working at it for a
long time. What might have seemed impossible at one time became doable, because
they took the first step and kept moving forward.
What marathons are you
facing in life today? Ask the Lord to guide you in your first steps to move in
the direction He wants you to go.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by
such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, 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. Because
of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he
is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility
he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
(Hebrews 12:1-3)
Dear Heavenly Father, please
help me to trust You today. Guide me to take steps and move forward in the
direction you want me to go. Help me to persevere and not give up as I take one
step, one day, one moment at a time. Thank you that Your mercies are new every
day!
Please leave a comment--share something you are learning about walking in faith in the longterm. We love your comments!
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