Running your race with God’s strength and endurance
A couple years ago, I did something I never thought I would do. I signed up for a half marathon to run through Walt Disney World. To many, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but for me — the girl who volunteered to do extra sit-ups and push-ups instead of running the mile in elementary school — it was a monumental moment.
There was just one small problem.
Since high school, I’ve had a painful hip injury that has no cure other than surgery. Blinded by the excitement of running down Main Street USA toward Cinderella’s castle, I gave little to no thought to the state of my body when I paid the entry fee and committed to training with my best friend who was running the race with me. Once I realized the reality of the situation, it was too late to turn back.
The training begins
I began training six months before the race, and in the process, I was reminded just how bad my hip injury was. It started smooth, running six, maybe seven miles before I would be forced to stop. That seven soon dropped to five, then three, and eventually it hurt to walk my dog around the block.
So I stopped training, but I knew in the back of my mind that I couldn’t quit the race (even though the doctors told me I probably should). I’d paid for it, I’d promised my friend that we’d run it together, and I was no quitter — all things I told myself.
But I went back and forth ten times a day. Do I run? Do I walk? Am I okay with being picked up by the bus if I just can’t finish? Do I just stay home?
Eventually, I made up my mind that I would and could do this.
I prayed every day to let my hips hold out long enough to get me to the finish line. I prayed that I wouldn’t end up in a medical tent on the side of the track somewhere along mile nine. I asked God for His strength to carry me across the finish line.
And you know what? He did.
Running with endurance
The race wasn’t easy, and there were two or three miles in the middle where I wanted to quit. (I’m looking at you, mile eight!) But I ran with strength and endurance when I could, and happily walked the rest. I had a sense of joy I couldn’t explain that was sent straight from the Lord, because He was allowing me to run my race through His power alone.
While running in the race may not have been the wisest thing for a girl with a hip injury to do, God was gracious and still taught me several lessons about Him in the process.
Whatever you’re going through, whether it is an injury, a family problem, a difficult situation at school or a problem you don’t know how to solve, God is there and He is taking care of you. He’s able to carry you to your finish line. Don’t get discouraged by people jogging past you — they aren’t fighting your battles! Look up to Him, because He will never let you fall. He is good all the time.
Like my race through Disney, I also realized life isn’t about finishing in a certain time but about making the most of every mile. When you focus too much on your next mile marker, you miss out on the people and places around you.
There will be people going faster than you, slower than you and some that run alongside you for the long haul. Be sure you cheer those people on, regardless of where they are in their race. We girls sometimes believe that if others trip and fall, it somehow makes our race a little easier. Trust me, there’s enough space on the road for both of you, and it’s much more fun to run it with friends.
Every step along the track is your chance to finish your race and accomplish all God has planned for your life. My prayer for you is that you run to your finish line with strength and endurance.
What race do you feel God calling you to run? Are there any challenges you feel are stopping you from running your race? Pray and ask God to give you the strength and endurance to run the path He’s placed before you.
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Jean Elizabeth Miles is a communicator by day and a dreamer always. She calls Alabama home, and spends her free time painting for her Etsy store and enjoying life with friends, family and George, the best pup around. You can follow her on Instagram @jeanelizabeth94.