Could You Repeat that, Please?
December 10, 2010On November 6th, 2008, I stood shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, and shoe to shoe with 40,000 complete strangers as I readied myself to run the New York City Marathon. Training had been completed, my ipod was loaded with motivational tunes, power bars were tucked in my pocket, and I even had my cell phone in my pack. (Hey, you never know when you might need to make a phone call!) My stomach was in knots and I was freezing – the temperature that morning was a chilly twenty-eight degrees with a stiff north wind blowing right in my face. But my mind and heart were in agreement on one thing – the goal of the day was to finish the race. That morning before I got out of bed, this thought came to my mind: “All I have to do today is move forward until I don’t have to anymore.” Now, that is certainly not the most eloquent statement I’ve ever made or even heard but it was true. Twenty-six miles lay between me and the finish line in Central Park and all I had to do to get there was keep moving in the right direction. It was my choice and I chose to start the day with a pep talk from myself to myself. If my inside heard my outside say it then maybe, just maybe they would both agree or as Proverbs 23:16 states it,
“And my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”
Now technically, in the Proverbs a father is speaking to a son. What dad wouldn’t exult in hearing his son his speak of things that are righteous and true? But we can also have this same effect on ourselves when we rehearse the goodness and faithfulness of God’s blessings upon us. Sometimes it’s not what it “feels like” but what we know to be true that helps us get through the day. It felt icy cold, crowded, and uncomfortable that day in New York City but I knew I was there will a “job” to do – finish a race. Every other day of my life I also have a job to do and although the details of the tasks may look different (wife, mom, teacher, etc) my main purpose is to know and live out the truth so others can see Jesus in me.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Not man comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
There are days we have to choose to keep moving in the direction of joy. When our circumstances are overwhelming to us and we feel like the marathon of the moment is just too long, we must focus on the truth and let it guide our steps. This is an intentional mindset; the same mindset I had that morning before I had even I laced my shoes. It should begin with gratitude, a somewhat difficult place to start but really the only way to begin to choose the path of truth and light. (CT)
Looking for more words? Read Psalm 25:1-10 and notice how God leads and teaches you on His path of life.