I have been discovering that my favorite workout and exercise has been running. There has just been something about it that just rejuvenates me both physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am by no means a great runner. In fact, when I played collegiate volleyball, my coach's mile and a half required run during spring training was not my favorite thing to do. I had no problem with the short sprints. They could be brutal at times but they were quick; however, there was something about the longer runs that got to me. May be I was less focused, or something, but now times I have changed.
It feels so good to accomplish something. It especially feels good when you have pushed yourself to go the distance; to make and obtain running goals. There is also something about feeling your muscles tight and firm when running. The ache and sweat feels physically good to me. Running releases endorphins that just kick start my day and energy. It is like my healthy version of caffeine, which is way better for you by the way!
As I have been getting out and running more, I have discovered something that works for me when I am running. I don't know if this is true for anyone else, but it is definitely true for me. Sometimes when I am running, I get caught looking just a few short steps ahead of me, which makes me actually slow up and almost feel like I could trip over me feet. I do much better running with speed, agility, and stamina when I look ahead. It is so easy to get caught up by where I am at, and not where I am headed.
As I was running one morning after I had a few frustrating things on my mind (those frustrating things actually are what I used to help me get out of the door one warm Saturday morning), I applied what I had learned during my runs to that of my own life. As I have stated in previous posts, I have had a lot of things going on with in the last several months. With out going into too much detail, just know that I have been through a great deal and have been hurt. However, I have been spending so much time just looking at the current situations and dwelling about them that I haven't taken the time to look up ahead. God has a plan and can use anything for his glory. Dwelling about the negatives in my life were just bringing me lower and making me unbalanced. I was spending more time worrying about where I was currently than trusting that God had a plan, and that he would see me through and that there was light ahead.
As I have learned running, lift your eyes from your current situation and surroundings, and focus your eyes ahead to what God has for you. You will have more strength and run faster. Perhaps as you look ahead, the low time in your life won't be as low for as long. Fix your eyes upon Jesus and the Cross, for strength and endurance to overcome the trial you may face, and to see the positives the trial can bring.
I like this picture above for a couple of reasons. I think it demonstrates what I am trying to say. The path is winding. It isn't straight. The path isn't always going to be a smooth and straight line, but it is the path that God has laid out before us. Secondly, where the kids are running is a little shaded and darker, but if you look ahead there is light, which demonstrates why we need to lift our eyes ahead upon Him and trust Him.
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