Hitting a Wall--and finishing the race!

I've made it no secret recently that my wife and I have set a goal to run a 5K before we turn 40 next summer.

We've been training for three months now. While we still have a long way to go, I'm able to run two miles! I'm excited about that type of incremental progress over 90 days. Every time we go to run, I realize just how much of a mental game the who "exercise" actually is for me.

Some nights I'm just in the right mental zone and I'm able to get my running regimen in with relative ease. Other nights, it is very difficult and I struggle to finish the course.

This evening as I was just coming up on the en d of my run, it hit me just how weary we can sometimes be as we're finishing a leg of the race.

For some reason, that passage in Hebrews came to mind. You know, that one that talks about how we will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses when we enter into heaven and finish our personal race. I can't help but think that we will be exhausted rounding the corner into that arena. We'll be tempted not to finish. Our souls will ache (just like my legs did tonight!). Our lungs will burn. We may feel as if we just can't go another step.

But it's amazing how motivating it can be when we're running with others and know that even more eyes are watching.

Victoria and I run together nightly. Despite my strain in our run, I was encouraged to finish the course, in part, because I knew I wasn't alone.

Just as Victoria's quiet presence encouraged me to finish my run today, I truly believe that the presence of that great cloud of witnesses will help encourage us to finish the greater race down the road. They'll help believers not only then, but knowing their is a great crowd cheering us on in heaven right now should encourage those who are tempted to falter.

We are spiritually formed in fellowship with our fellow believers. I see that clearly every time Victoria and I run. I see it in that visionary passage in Hebrews.

If you are weary and are tempted to give up, know their is a great cloud of witnesses watching and cheering for you.

When we see our sisters and brothers struggling, we should never underestimate how a simple word of encouragement (and even our presence) can be an encouragement.

Run your race. But know that you don't run it alone.