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.

The Secret of Being Content

This morning our Sunday school lesson was on the secrets of being content.  For the past 3 months we have been going through Philippians and today we ended our study on Philippians covering chapter 4, verses10-23.  As we come to the end of Paul's letter, it is good to take a step book and look at what Paul says in Philippians 4:9.  Paul says that we are do what we have learned, received, heard and seen in him.  So the question becomes what has Paul taught us in this letter?  There are several things we have learned and here are some of those things:

• Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4)
• Put the past behind and look forward (Phil 3:13)
• Stand firm in the Lord (Phil 4:1)
• Do everything without grumbling and arguing (Phil 2:14)
• Look out for the interests of others (Phil 2:4)
• Do nothing out of rivalry (Phil 2:3)
• Watch out for evil workers (Phil 3:2)
• Boast in Christ and do not put confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3)

Paul learned to be content in whatever circumstance he was in.  As Paul says in 4:11-12 "I have learned to content in whatever circumstance I am.  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content - whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need."  Do you find yourself being content when you have little or you have a lot?

Being content is nothing that just comes to you at the snap of the fingers.  This is learned over time.  Just as Paul learned, we too are learning and with learning comes wisdom, knowledge and understanding

Paul follows up his secret he has learned of being content with a verse that has a huge impact in my life.  Paul says in Philippians 4:13..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  He did not say some things....Paul says ALL things.  We all have hardships and trials we go through everyday.  Paul also had hardships and trials.  Even while in prison he learned to be content, rejoice in the Lord and know that it is the strength of Christ that is above all else and got him through these times.

The same is true in my life.  The ministry of Team 413 has changed me from the inside out.  It is a transformation that all goes back to one.  It is not about me, it is about glorifying God in all I do.  Christ is the vine and I am one of the branches using His word to help proclaim the Gospel.  In all of the running events I have been a part of since January 2009, I have worn a Team 413 shirt.  It is amazing to see how God breathed a single verse that is such an encouragement to many.  I hear comments of gratitude from fellow runners how that verse helped them finish the race set before them.  Just like there is a finish line at the end of a marathon, there is also a finish line in our spiritual life and that is Jesus Christ.

God blessed me with the opportunity to spend a few minutes in front of my Sunday school class today to talk about the impact Philippians 4:13 has had on my life and how I am running for Christ with Team 413.  I knew God would provide by giving me the words to say.  I told the class how the strength of Christ gave me the courage and ability to stand up in front of the class and speak.  It was such a blessing to see the response of everyone as I stood up there.  I know it was truly God at work.

Seeds have been planted and I pray that God will continue to use me to help in planting more seeds in order to see His fruit flourish.