The Words Beneath My Feet

Just like most situations, I was trying to handle it on my own strength. I've learned in the past that I am weak. Fortunately, when I am weak, He is strong. Isaiah 40:29, 31 says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." It’s in our weakness that we are reminded of God's strength and our desperate need for Him. In this moment, I realized my weakness and my desperate need for my Father's strength.

We rounded the corner to the next crag. The sun was shining but my heart felt defeated. I watched as my friend put up the next route. My thoughts were racing wild, repeatedly asking myself why I went climbing this weekend. I should've prepared myself more. My turn was approaching. I began to stretch out in hopes to relax my mind and muscles. Tying in, I was reminded of a verse from my childhood; Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God is with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Up the wall I went. All while remembering where my strength comes from. He's got this!

So often I find myself worrying about the next step. Fretting about where to go or what to do from here. But my God has this! He is my comforter when I am afraid, my strength when I am weak, my savior when I need rescued. Before long we were at the top of a mountain, looking out at all God has done.

For the past several months, I’ve been training for my first half marathon. At the beginning of my training, I hadn’t even run half of the required 13.1 miles. That’s right! You know the stickers on the back of everyone’s car “13.1”? Well, that was the goal. Each week we would up the mileage, adding to my personal distance record. 7—8—9—10—11. Unfortunately, I never hit that 13-mile marker. That is, until the day of the Nashville Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon. 30,000+ participants joined me at the start line, all for one goal—to finish.

As I ran, mile after mile, supporters lined the streets of Nashville. Signs of encouragement, echoing cheers, and the occasional high-five awaited us each stretch of the race. They were all there to grant friends, family, and strangers support as we ran mile after mile. An overwhelming feeling began to spring up inside of me. It was amazing that so many people could be a part of an event such as this. Whether a runner, supporter, or volunteer: we all came for one race.

Paul references a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” The prize Paul references isn’t a temporary trophy or a gold star. This prize is an eternal, everlasting life with our heavenly Father. A life He has promised us through His Son, Christ Jesus.

Another reference of this race is found in Hebrews 12: 1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

As I neared miles 11 and 12, I had begun to add to my distance record and my legs began to grow weary. I reminded myself, over and over, that my strength didn’t come from me. I had not yet lost heart in my race. The supporters continued to cheer us on as we passed by. Some had signs with personal names, which I had begun to replace with my own. I needed the words of encouragement to continue with my race. “You’re almost there, Samantha.” “Way to go, Sam!” One more big hill, then it was a straightway to the finish. I’ve got this. The cries of joy continued to pour out of the supporters. As I grew closer to the finish, the cheers grew also. What an example of encouragement!

Five inches of rain in a week led to one muddy day. Ankle deep in most areas made even walking difficult. As the morning went on, the heat index rose well above 90 degrees. Jumping over a 4-foot wall led us to the start line. "I am Sparta," was chanted right as we began to take off on the 8.2-mile obstacle course.

Muddy trails and obstacles awaited us at each turn. Even though I had run several Spartan races before, this one came with its own challenges. The muddier we became, the harder each obstacle was to conquer. My patience began to lack, my pride came to the surface, and my anger became unchecked.

James 1:19-20 says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."

I wanted to prove that I could overcome every obstacle. I wanted to prove that I was strong. I wanted to prove that I was good enough. But when I couldn't complete an obstacle, I felt defeated and weak. Frustration turned to pride and anger. These two emotions weren't allowing me to grow in perseverance.

Earlier in James, he writes: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

You may not have to run a Spartan race to feel tested or tried. We face these day to day. But God is faithful and promises us a place beyond imagination. All we have to do is persevere through these times.

James 1:12