Run to Win!

I went to Barnes & Noble this weekend looking for the book "Run to Overcome".  This is the story of long distance runner and 2009 NYC Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi.

On the inside of the book jacket is the phrase "running is like life".  In addition is 1 Corinthians 9:24 which says, "Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize."

All of us are not world class athletes that have the chance to win every race we enter, but we all race to win. We may want to set a new PR for the distance or simply finish, but in any case, achieving the specific goal we set for the race....we will have won.

The same is true in our daily lives as we run with God. We should all race to win. By glorifying God by making disciples of all nations, we are that world class athlete leading the pack to the ultimate finish line in Jesus Christ.

Tobacco Road Half Marathon

This past Sunday was the 2nd annual Tobacco Road Marathon weekend. I was entered in the 2010 half marathon, but due to an injury I had to defer my entry until the 2011 race. I was looking forward to this race as it is flat for the most part, especially on the American Tobacco Trail.

The morning started early, with a 4:15 am wakeup. I was out the door by 4:30 am and on my way to the offsite parking about 10 minutes away from the start/finish area. They had coach buses to take all of the runners to the start/finish area. I was on the bus at 5:15 am and we were on our way. On the ride over I prayed that God would give me the strength to finish the race, the knowledge of His word and the wisdom to share His word.

It was a cold morning with temps in the lower 40's, but that was perfect for running. Race start was set for 7:00 am for the half with the full marathoners starting at 7:15 am. At 6:40 am they made the announcement for all half marathoners to make their way to the corrals. As I was standing in my corral, I began to speak to this guy next to me named JT. As soon as we started talking he asked me about the Team 413 shirt I was wearing. JT wears a silicon band that has Philippians 4:13 on it. We ended up talking for the remaining time until the start. What a great time of fellowship this was.

The start was delayed about 15 minutes as all of the buses carrying the runners had not arrived to the starting area. Once all of the buses had arrived, it was time to go. I wished JT all the best and it was time for the journey. I had a goal in mind leading up to this event of wanting to crack the 2:20 mark for a half. My PR in the half is 2:23 and I figured 2:20 was attainable due to the swim and cycling training I have been doing preparing for the sprint triathlon on April 9. As we started, we had a series of rolling hills for the first 3 miles. I was feeling really good during this stretch going between 9:30 - 10:00 min per mile pace. Just before the 3 mile mark, the lead marathoners were coming through. Those lead runners were really moving. Probably at a 5:00 min per mile pace. At the 3 mile mark we made a turn onto the American Tobacco Trail. I had heard a lot about this trail, but this was going to be my first time ever running on it. As we started on the trail, a guy came up on my right side who was as tall as me. I asked how he was doing so far and he said he was doing well. He followed that up and said it was tough for big guys like us. That is so true in what he said as when you look at someone who is 6'-4", we just don't look like runners. He was also running at a pace that was just perfect for me as I was able to get a great rhythm going. I stayed with him for the majority of the 7 miles on the trail.

All throughout the run, God was glorified. I heard more words of encouragement from wearing the Team 413 shirt than I have before at any other race. There was even a time right in the first 2 miles of the race where I heard a couple of ladies behind me talking about Romans and then Philippians when they saw the shirt. What a blessing! Then as I was in the final 2 miles of the race, I had 3 separate instances where people came along side me and thanked me for the encouragement the verse had given them. One lady said she was about to quit, then she saw the shirt and knew she could do it. I told her God is always with you no matter what and He will pull you through. The final encounter was with less than 0.5 miles to the finish and a guy thanked me for the encouragement and how it also pulled him through. Those are just a few encounters I had of how God was glorified all throughout this event.

As the miles were clicking down to the finish, I knew the goal of break 2:20 was in reach. I made the right-hand turn to the finish line 100 yards away and I could see the clock showing 2:17. I started to get a little emotional inside as I knew I was going to set a new PR. I crossed the line with an official time of 2:17:08 and a new PR by 6 minutes!

There was also another inspiration story that took place at this event. Amazing story of endurance, discipline and determination. Army Captain Ivan Castro was injured in Iraq. A result of his injuries is that he is blind. The marathon was his 15th he has completed. Just look at this quote from Army Captain Castro, "You know we all have a cross to carry. The Lord decided that this was my cross. He wouldn't give me this cross if he didn't think I could carry it,"

This is true for each and every one of us. The Lord would not give us all He has unless He didn't think we could handle it.

Discipline

Discipline….When you hear the word discipline, what comes to mind? Do your immediate thoughts go to the military, to school, to your parents? That is what comes to mind for me as well. Discipline is a way of life for many. As a runner, and soon to be triathlete, I found out right away that building endurance requires discipline. I think it is safe to say that most of us just cannot go out and run a marathon, ultra-marathon or an ironman triathlon with no training. Each one of those events is an endurance challenge that takes a tremendous amount of discipline.

As we see in the beginning Hebrews 12, we have the call to endurance in verses 1-2.

1 Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.

As athletes, we endure a lot of pain and suffering in our training and our races. None of it can compare to the pain and suffering Jesus endured for each and every one of us. Jesus paid the ultimate price for each of us that we may live and glorify God by making disciples of all nations.

This is why I endure the hard work to reach the finish line….to serve Him. Hebrews 12-11-13 says.

11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead.

I don't know of any race where you will not find spectators. These are family members and friends who are not only cheering on loved ones, but also providing encouragement to other athletes. I can tell you, that means so much to have the support from people I will probably never see again. In return, running for Jesus with Team 413, I am yielding fruit before the spectators as they see God's word proclaimed, in the hopes that they will be trained by it as we read in Hebrews 12:11.

The kind of disciple it takes to train for endurance challenges is the same kind of discipline it takes in our spiritual challenges. Therefore, be disciplined . . . to lay aside the sin that weighs you down, and to run with endurance the race God sets before you . . . all for His glory!

Broken and Lifted Up

This evening my wife sent me a text message about a listener who called into K-Love who was broken.   Once I got home this evening, I turned on K-Love and also went to their Facebook Fan Page.  A man by the name of Eric called in the station this evening as was contenplating taking his life by jumping off of the Golden Gate bridge.

Many all over the world who were listening at the moment heard this man reaching out for help.  He was broken and God led him to reach out to someone.  That someone was Scott & Kelli at K-Love Radio.  At that moment, Scott prayed for Eric and many who were in cars returning home from work, church or simply listening at home also prayed for Eric.  The are several posts on the fan page about Eric and how everyone is praying for him.  Prayer is powerful! 

I know Eric will probably never read this post, but I pray that all of the prayers for him tonight are answered and that he will find strength and comfort in the Lord.  We all face times where we are broken and go through the storms of life, but it is at those times that we can become the strongest and find comfort in the Lord.  I am reminded of the chorus to Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Jesus loves you Eric!