Endurance

I spent the last two months training for a half-marathon. It is something that has been a goal for a while. But, when I lost my job in February, I had extra time on my hands, and somehow needed that goal, as well as the expenditure of stress energy!

A half-marathon is 13.1 miles. When my friend Becky and I committed to do a half-Marathon on May 1, we said we would do it, "Even if we had to crawl across the finish line." Now, at the time we made the committment, I was not running at all. I had been working out 4 days a week at the gym, but, when I lost my job, that luxury was cut out of the budget. So, jogging and fast/walking 3 miles was about my limit. But, with diligent training four days a week, adding a little mileage every week, after a few weeks, we were running/walking 8 miles, then 10, then 11....

Race morning, I knew I would finish, but was still nervous, surrounded by 8,000 other runners and walkers. I had the blessing of doing the race with Becky and two other lovely Christian ladies. We prayed together, and I know our husbands and families were praying God's strength and protection over us. The first 6 miles were a breeze. I hit the wall at mile 9. With Becky's encouragement, a blast of Goo, and a bit of walking, I was revived a bit. Until I hit the wall again at mile 11. God sent some angels in the form of American Heart Association volunteers with some water and more Goo. And, with Becky's constant encouragement (literally, she did not stop talking me through it those last two miles!), a lot of praying and a couple tears, and the encouragement of strangers lining the course along the way, I made it across the finish line in 2 hours and 42 minutes.

That race made me think about life. Our life is like a marathon. It is an endurance event. We have great times that feel like a breeze. Then we get some hills -- health problems, loss of a job, family issues, financial crises.... Then it gets "easy" again, then some more hills. It's a long event. We are going to face many challenges along the way. Our faith is not built for short breezy sprints. That is why we need a close relationship with the Lord, and the encouragement of our Christian brothers and sisters to help us along the way. Just like Becky told me, "Don't stop, keep moving," we need others to tell us to keep doing, to refresh us, to challenge us. And, we need the ever present breath of the Lord with us. His Word is like the water and Gatorade along the race route -- giving us refreshment and nourishment and strength.

I have a devotion book by Chris Tiegreen that has been my constant encouragement through the uphill battles these last two years. I wanted to share the thoughts I fed on yesterday, out of Psalm 55:4-8 and 16-18. Tiegreen writes: "David was a man after God's own heart and a great annointed king. But, in many ways, he was just like us.... When the pressure was on, David just wanted to run away.... Every Christian who has been prepared by God and stretched to his or her limits can relate: There are times when we would do anything if God would just remove us from our trial. We'll pray for ways of escape, but God often leaves us surrounded until his time is right."

He goes on to say that endurance "has spiritual results that nothing else can accomplish." Endurance is something we have to develop. Had I gone out on March 3 and tried to run 13 miles, I would not have made it. I would have been walking by mile 5, and it would have taken me HOURS to finish, if at all! I would have injured myself trying to do 13 miles without training. It took 9 weeks of regular training, stretching, and eating right to be able to accomplish the race to the end. I had to prepare my body and my mind. We can't learn to endure physically or spiritually or mentally in principle. The only way to gain endurance is to simply endure through the pain. Tiegreen writes, "We must be put in a position of having to lean on our God and to learn of his ways. Experience is the only way to know Him."

Just like I finished that race and was able to celebrate that I had accomplished the goal, and look at doing another one sometime in the future, there is always deliverance, a chance to look back and see that you did indeed survive through the trial.

Tiegreen sums it up so beautifully: "The good news for those who go through intense trials and suffering is that once the impulse to flee is broken, God delivers. When endurance is complete, God removes the tribulation we endure. Every fear of Psalm 55:4-8 is followed by every blessing of Psalm 55:16-18. Our God does not leave us in our troubles. He has put us there to discover his provision; He will not withhold it indefinitely. There will be a day of deliverance. It is God who is enthroned forever (verse 19), not suffering. We don't have to flee; we simply call on the One who dwells above our trials."

Doubt that he will deliver you ever? Do you feel like you are just in an ever present state of enduring and pain? Look at scripture, look at your own life. Count those times that God has provided deliverance after the times of struggle. Look at how God blessed David after his times of running from King Saul. Look at how God delivered the Israelites, over and over again. He kept His promise to them, even in the face of their constant disobedience. God is trustworthy. Tell God today that you trust Him. Ask Him to give you strength for today. Strengthen yourself today by consuming his word. Find a verse to memorize this week, think on it, apply it to your life. And know that God will bring deliverance. Resist the urge to flee and just rest in his provision for today. And look for the bright hope that will come....