Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Terrain

Ever run in to a goat while running?
Sometimes when I run the road is rough, sometimes it's hilly, and sometimes it's smooth. If I'm running the same route I always I know what to anticipate in terms of the terrain.  However if I'm running on a new route I never know what to expect.

Sometimes the terrain works with me and sometimes it doesn't.

It works with me when I'm going faster than I anticipated with minimal effort. This usually happens on a flat piece of land or if I'm going downhill.

It works against me when I'm going uphill or there's lots of crevices in the sidewalk. I have never had an easy time going uphill and don't think I ever will because hills aren't meant to be easy.

Life is analogous to the terrain we run. Sometimes it's hard and sometimes it's easy. As a runner, regardless of the terrain, because I know how to run I keep running.  We give it more effort when we're going uphill and coast when we are going downhill. We are more aware on uneven sidewalks but breathe more easily on smooth trails. We don't quit, we adjust. We are grateful for the downhills but just as grateful for the uphills.  The steep inclines really help us appreciate the down hills. When you've gone through a rough time, the fact is you have gone through and are grateful to have made it to the other side. As a runner, how I make it to smooth terrain is almost irrelevant. Being able to pump my arms, breathe and whisper to myself "you can do it," gets me to smoother terrain. 

If we can do this while running, we can do this as we face various challenges in life. For the longer you are in the is race the more experience you gain in navigating the terrain.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
Don't quit; keep doing what you have been trained to do.

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