Wow!!
What a fun time I had yesterday. My friend Mitsu trained with Team in Training, a group that raises money for the leukemia/lymphoma society. The group met prior to walk down to the starting line. One of the men that I met from the group was running for fellow employees who were effected by leukemia or lymphoma. He had all of their pictures on his shirt and on the back of his shirt he had the names of those affected by the disease from those who had donated, whom he had never met. So touching to see his determination to run for these people. I was reminded of My Savior!! Jesus- you are my forerunner- the world's forerunner! (Hebrews 6:20). He completed His Father's business out of love and determination for us to be returned completely to the Father. Gets my heart pumped!!! I've probably written this before- but I love how God uses running in many of His verses- Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing[1][Lit looking to ] our eyes on Jesus, the author[2][Or leader ] and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and[3][Lit fainting in your souls ] lose heart. " Thank You Jesus!!
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, not as without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." (I Corinthians 9:24-27).
Then as I was cheering on the sidelines- I got choked up- b/c I love cheering people on. Then I saw this man who had Loftstrand crutches finishing the half marathon- I cheered even harder- he was determined! As I thought about life- how there are people cheering us on. How when we cross the finish line- when we get to meet our Father in heaven- how the saints who have gone before us will be cheering us on!!
Praise the Father- that He knows us more intimately than we know ourselves. And that through Jesus we are free indeed from wearing any masks- we can be ourselves and that is free!! Aren't you excited???
