Lessons From My First 5K

The other day, after returning from a run, I told my hubby, “I feel kind of funny calling it running because my pace is so slow." 

My hubby says, “That’s because it’s not running, it’s jogging.”

Pouting, I respond, “Yeah, but it seems like running to me because even if I were being chased by something dangerous and scary, that's as fast as I could move.”

“Well…then you’d be dead.”

This conversation got me thinking, not that my hubby needs to work on his motivational skills, but whether it matters how fast I run or just that I cross the finish line?

So today, while laboring through my first 5K, I got to talking to God about that question. Here is some of the lessons He taught me.   

 

Lesson One:  Don’t feel bad about walking up the hills. I had my mind set on running the entire way but when I got to the bottom of the first big hill, no matter how hard I tried, I had to walk. At first, I felt disappointed in myself until I realized that this is my first 5K. I don’t have to hurt myself to prove anything. After reaching the top of every hill, I would start running again. God reminded me that it's OK to walk through the hills in our life as long as we keep focused on Him to help us reach the top. Then, after we have rested in Him and He has renewed our strength, we start running again. 

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Lesson Two: Don’t cheat. After making it up the 2^nd hill, with my legs dying, I looked over and saw another hill. A crazy thought ran through my mind, “Wow, I could totally cheat. I could cut through this yellow tape to the top of the 3rd hill. No one would ever know.” But that was my sciatica talking. Even if no one saw me, I’d know that I cheated. Cheating in life robs us of the joy that God blesses us with when we stick it out. 

Colossians 1:11-12 (MSG)

…We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Lesson 3: Don’t run for worldly pursuits. With about ½ mile to go, I saw this sign and it made me laugh. As I made my way to the finish line, I thought that even if Ryan Gosling were waiting for me that wouldn't be the reason that this was one of the best days of my life. What made this day so memorable is that fact that I set a goal for myself and I accomplished it. The world tries to offer us substitutes to real joy. Real joy and peace come from running with God and for God. That Spirit filled joy only comes from doing all things through Christ that strengthens us.   

Ecclesiastes 2 (NLT)

I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless...In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.…I had everything a man could desire!

…Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.  But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

Lesson Four: It really doesn't matter how fast you run. What matters is that you keep going even when the going gets tough. You keep training to build your endurance to conquer those hills. Don't believe the enemy's lie that you're not able to do something that God wants you to do. With Jesus, all things are possible.  

Philippians 3:12-14 (CEV)

Running toward the Goal

I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.

So as I crossed the finish line and my friends and family cheered, I was reminded that God is always cheering us on. He’s not looking for the best time on the clock. He’s watching us through the loving eyes of a Father, in pride that we made it, up the hills, over the pot holes, through the shifting sand, and across the finish line. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

So, let's keep running - together - towards God's finish line.

Love,

Yolanda

Getting into the God Zone

I've come to the conclusion that I have an addictive personality. Those who know me are probably not surprised by this revelation. And those who had any doubts, no longer have any after this last weekend.

Oh, there have been signs of this addictive behavior in my past:

Food addiction – burrito wrappers found in my closet. OK, in my defense, I was in high school at the time.        

Romance novel addiction – my own personal lending library. OK, in my defense, I'm still in rehab for this addiction. 

Celebrity crush addiction – OK, OK, I have no defense for this one. 

And so on and so on…

You see, I've been training for a 5K in April, doubling up on workouts and running 2 times a week. I never quite believed it when people said that running was addictive. I figured they were some kind of genetic, athletic freaks or something. But I’m beginning to see those addictive tendencies in myself.

This Easter, I organized a family walk to get us up and moving. After completing 1-mile, I was literally bouncing and fidgety wanting to do another. One of my cousins asked me, “What’s wrong with you? Are you cold?” I admit, I fibbed and told him I was cold but really I just wanted to get back on the trail. My aunt said, “You’re getting addicted.” Yes, yes, I’m afraid I am. 

Part of the appeal of working out is the endorphin release. For example, recently in a kickboxing class, I was literally in “the zone” doing these high sidekicks. I was focused, on fire, channeling the Karate Kid. Afterwards, I was able to do this impossible stretch that I have been attempting forever! This backwards stretch used to drive me crazy. I could always grab one leg, but the other leg would stubbornly stay just inches out of reach. But finally I grabbed on to both feet and it felt awesome!  

Lately, I've felt like my relationship with God is just like this impossible stretch. God is just out of my reach. I’m close to grabbing onto Him but He’s just beyond my grasp. Even though I’m reading my Bible more than ever. Going to church consistently. Listening to worship music constantly. Basically, spiritually working out. However, that close intimate connection was evading me. And just like my feet were just out of reach, that’s how I felt about connecting intimately with God. I desire to be in the spiritual “zone”. You may read this and think, “There is no spiritual zone with God.” But you see, I know there is. I've been there. When I got baptized by the Holy Spirit in 2012, and for about a year after, I was in the zone; on fire, channeling the Holy Spirit, addicted to God.

When I’m adrift like this, my writing suffers. My spiritual eyesight, which is my Holy Spirit muse, is affected. I see the world through human filters, and let me tell you, it’s a scary and depressing place. I see so much negativity, pain, suffering, and dangers lurking in the horizon, that it all feels overwhelming and hopeless. I wonder:

What can I do?

What good am I doing?

Does anything I do make a difference?

And therein lies my problem.

It’s NOT an “eye” problem, it’s an “I” problem. I'm focusing on me, me, me. I can’t do anything in my own strength. I can’t take on the world’s problems on my puny shoulders. I’ll collapse under the weight of the burden. This morning, in my Jesus Calling devotion by Sarah Young, God spoke to me through these words:

 “Though I never leave you, you can essentially ‘leave’ Me by ignoring Me: thinking or acting as if I am not with you. When you feel distance in our relationship, you know where the problem lies. My Love for you is constant; I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is you who change like shifting sand, letting circumstances toss you this way and that. When you feel far from Me, whisper My Name. This simple act, done in childlike faith, opens your heart to My Presence.” (page 103)

You see, I've been letting the world’s circumstances toss me to and fro, like a boat adrift in a stormy sea. The constant heartbreaking world news is distracting me, making me fearful, and spiritually paralyzing me. I’m acting like God is not with me. He reminded me today that He is with me - always. How is He telling me to come back to “the zone” of His presence? Through childlike faith, whispering His name. Amazingly, this is what I did recently without even realizing it.

This week, I added a new workout to my fitness addiction. I went roller-skating. I used to love to roller-skate as a child. I would spin and twirl, skate backwards and forwards. It always felt like soaring and as close to flying as I could get. So, as I laced up those skates after 30+ years, I prayed, “Jesus, please don’t let me fall or get hurt. Please let me have fun.” And as I wobbled my way into the rink, I slowly gained confidence. That ability I had in my youth came back to me and I was soaring and laughing, going around and around in the rink. A feeling of euphoria and joy entered my soul and I whispered, “Thank you, Jesus.”

And it was as simple as whispering His Name to regain that feeling of God's presence so intimately that my soul rejoiced. So, if you have been feeling like me, that God is just out of reach and you can't seem to grab hold, remember getting into the "God Zone" is not crazy workouts, backward stretches, or even running miles. It is as simple as remembering how be child-like, full of wonder and trust, calling out to our Heavenly Dad. 

So let's pray like King David prayed in Psalm 63:1-8 (CEV)

God, your love means more to me than life.
You are my God. I will worship you.
In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 
I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship.
Your love means more than life to me, and I will praise you.
As long as I live, I will pray to you.
I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.
I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night.
You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings.
I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Love,
Yolanda

Easter Prayer

Drawing by Tammy Nasir

Jesus, Easter is all about YOU

I lift my voice in praise and thanksgiving

Thank you for YOUR sacrifice of love

The world attempts to distort and hide the meaning of this holiday

They run from YOUR sacrifice towards frivolous distractions  

But YOU will not be hidden

YOU will not be forgotten

On Good Friday, I remember the price YOU paid

On my behalf and for all the world

Our sins placed on YOU, The Lamb of God who is worthy

Beaten beyond recognition

Your back laid bare

A crown a thorns pierced your brow

Above your head a sign placed

Declaring YOUR identity

“THE KING OF THE JEWS”

What the enemy intended for mockery instead proclaimed THE TRUTH

YOU are King of Kings, God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come

On that day, as you laid on the cross, the heavens declared your glory

With thunderous applause

The earth mourned the loss of your presence

Rumbling and shaking in its sorrow

The enemy rejoiced as they placed YOU in the tomb

Thinking he’d won

Man’s salvation undone

But little did he know that YOU would rise from the dead

Conquering death

Triumphant instead

YOU ascended into Heaven

YOU are seated at the right hand of THE FATHER

YOU intercede on my behalf

YOU are preparing my eternal home

YOU sent us your Spirit in a blaze of fire

To dwell in our hearts

To guide, comfort, counsel, and empower

So until YOU return or I go home

I will spread THE GOOD NEWS

Hosanna, Hosanna, JESUS saves!

Happy Easter. 

Love,

Yolanda

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:25-28 (NLT)