At the beginning of this journey I decided to register for a half marathon. I am using the race date to help keep me on track with training and a goal to reach.
Today the running schedule called for a 6.5 mile run. I can not run 6.5 miles yet and I was a little uncertain about whether or not I could go the distance. However, I set out with my team to do a run/walk. I started out strong and felt great. I went from unsure about the distance to confident I could get it done. Then mile 4 happened. During mile 4 fatigue began to set it, my feet were tired, I was hungry, and hot. I stopped running for a second and was beginning to doubt my ability to finish the run. In my mind there was no way I was going to make it back to the starting point. I had no choice though. My car was at the starting point. My only option was to push through how I was feeling, to push through the doubt and keep going. While I was running those last 2.5 miles I started to feel better again. The fatigue was going away. My hunger was going away. My stamina was coming back.
God began to speak to me during this time. I began to think about how many people get to that place of fatigue in their life journey, about how many people give up on the path to achieving their dreams. As I thought about this God began speaking to me. He said if you press through the fatigue and if you won't quit when you're discouraged, you will make it. In those times of fatigue, discouragement, frustration, and pain God will give you everything you need to make it the finish line and to achieve the dreams. As we press through we open the door for God to shower us with grace and strength to persevere. We open the door for Him to supply everything we need. It is in that moment of pressing that we stop relying on our own strength and have to begin relying on His strength. Nothing is impossible with God's strength. My encouragement to you today is to NEVER give up, NEVER stop pressing through. DON'T give up on your dream half way there. Allow God to be your source and your center. He will take you farther than you ever imagined you could go on your own. When I completed my run I learned it was a 6.9 mile run. I went almost a half-mile more than planned and almost three miles after I thought I couldn't go any farther. Believe in yourself enough and the God we serve enough to allow Him to show up and show out in your life.
Much Love,
Dallas
Philippians 4:13 2 Corinthians 4:9 2 Corinthians 12:9
