:: greatness is a life well-lived ::

"I will not stop running."

Brian Diemer 5K Run
Final Chip Time: 23:48 min
Total pace: 7:40/mile
402nd (out of 955 runners)
15th (of 69) in 25-29 age bracket

Running races is a very spiritual thing to me. The symbolism courses through everything. In my second ever road race on Saturday, my race time improved dramatically, which was quite exciting (see my first race results).

I ran alone (albeit with hundreds of others running as well) and it was lonely. Many people stood along the sidelines cheering their friends and family by name, but no one for me. One spectator even joined his friend for a bit to encourage him. It was discouraging, but yet I wasn't alone, for "the Lord stood(ran) at my side and gave me strength" (2 Timothy 4:17). And there were many race volunteers along the route who clapped and cheered for everyone..."You're doing great...Keep going...You're almost there...You can do it!" And one who was simply quietly clapping, that one bolstered me the most. During the last leg of the run, another girl happened in pace with me and I said "we're almost there," and we ran side by side for a bit.

But ultimately, it was my race. It was me and God. At the end, I picked up my pace and ran hard to the finish, on my own, hardly noticing anyone else, focused on that end and just ran hard. I didn't have much strength left but I ran as hard as I could, and all I could think/pray was "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..."

I purposefully ran without my music, in order to draw out my soul and spirit's connection to the race, to accentuate my aloneness and focus my mind on Jesus. And what went through my mind again was Scripture and songs of worship, praise and of the Lord being my strength. Profoundly meaningful. And some verses were ones I haven't read recently but are in there, drawn out by the Spirit in my time of need. I prayed, "Lord, I know this is only a little road race, but I need Your strength. I want to honor and glorify You in it. Help me do that one thing."

I wanted so much to stop running and walk awhile, but I cried out for strength and prayed from my soul a prayer not just for this one race, but for my life: No matter how hard it is or how tired I get, I will NOT stop running. I won't ever stop running after Jesus! He is my goal and my prize. I will always run in such a way as to get the Prize. Until the Finish, I'm going to run hard, until I see His face and He says, "well done...My work is completed in you."

And not long after I finished my road race, with "Jesus" on my lips, a dear friend and man of God finished his race on earth and was able to actually see Jesus at his finish line. Heartbreaking and unexpected loss for us, but what a race Tom Ritchie ran on this earth, and I'm sure he heard "Well done!"

posted by FaithChristine @ 08:00