I am a marathon runner.

In my heart, and a few awesome dreams, I run marathons. I mean, I seriously run them like a Kenyan boss. But those dreams are not the reality of my life. Truth is, I may never actually run a marathon for one reason or another. Maybe too much damage done to my knees from years of basketball and softball or maybe, sigh, that is just not God’s plan for me. Only God knows, if that dream of actually hitting the pavement and accomplishing a 26.21875 mile race will actualize. I am ok either way, because I am still a marathon runner running a race He has set out before me. 

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,” (Hebrews 12:1).

Truth is, I have a tendency to run ahead. My competitive nature gets carried away, inevitably grows tired of waiting, and I sin or race.  Because I am determined to set my own pace, I inevitably end up hurt.  Daily, I have to remind myself to align my heart and pace with the Lord’s.

My problem is what I am looking at. I look to the finish line. I see a prideful finish and an accomplishment I have always wanted. I don’t immediately see the Lord or His will. Can you relate?

Our weight loss journeys are parallel marathons with our walk with the Lord. Careful where you set your eyes and how your treat that journey. I want to see a finish line. I want to see accomplishment. It is easy to see the journey as a sprint, and not a marathon.

God wants to see my heart following His. He doesn’t care about finish lines. He cares about how well we run the marathon. He cares about the condition of our hearts. Are we being led by pride? Would you give anything to look like a marathon runner, without maybe all that painful work ethic? Truth is, there are days I would. On those days, I know it is time to adjust my pace and come back to the Lord and submit to His lead.

My journey is not a sprint. It is a marathon of work and determination unto the Lord, not unto, Meredith. It is not about images or accomplishment that add up to pride. It is about service, love, and a life spent humbly submitting to an omnipotent God. I may get to run my actual marathon; I may not.

I am still a marathon runner for the Lord.

P31Wife