Oh, I'm Running to Your Arms

My goal all day long was go to running after work.  3:30 came and left and I just didn't get to run like I had wanted.  By 4:30 p.m. I found myself snuggled in my warm bed....fully intended to sleep instead of run.  I mean, it did kinda look like it would start raining or storming at any point.  Sleep was a better option, right?

But something stirred inside of me.  Something that kept me awake.  Something that urged me to run despite my desire to sleep. 

So I got up.  I put my contacts back in.  I put on my running clothes.  I put on my running shoes.  I was motivated to run.  I craved it.  You see, my running time is a time of sweet commune with my Savior.  I needed it.

After I got two steps out the front door, my desire quickly changed as I realized it had JUST begun to rain!  And not just sprinkle.  It was raining pretty good.  I turned around and walked back to the front door, with the thought that I would just take a nap instead.

But wait.  Why can't I run?  What is stopping me?  Is a little rain going to stop me from getting my exercise and having a wonderful prayer time with Jesus?  My mind immediately went back to the race this past Saturday.  We ran in 42 degrees with pouring rain.  ...and it was fun!!!!!  Today it was 62 degrees.  What's wrong with running today?  Why am I trying to get out of it?

Why do I think I can't run in the rain?  Why do I limit myself? 

So I turned back and decided to run anyway.  Despite the rain. 

I truly felt like I had a breakthrough today.  I felt empowered.  I felt a sense of accomplishment at running in the face of something that would normally stop me.

And while running....and wiping the rain off my face....I sensed God speaking to me about the "race" that we are all running. 

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." -Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

We are all called to "run the race" set out before us.  Sometimes things get in our way and distract us from the race.  I can't tell you how many times I've been attacked by ducks, birds and dogs while running!  Those things often make me want to stop running.  In the same way, things can get in the way of our spiritual race.  We can easily put things before God and get distracted from what we really are suppose to do.

Sometimes we get tired....sometimes we are injured.  I often feel sore.  I don't want to finish.  My body aches and I just want to give up.  In the same way, sometimes we are wore out and spiritually don't feel like fighting.  But God is calling us to keep pressing on!!!  ....no matter what!

Sometimes the weather prevents us from running.  It's easy to run when it's sunny and warm!  But what about wind?  Rain?  Snow?

We all have "sunny" days when everything seems to go our way.  Those days are easy to serve the Lord, aren't they?

But what about a "stormy" or "windy" day?  A day when everything seems to be going wrong?  Did you ever have one of those "when it rains it pours" days? 

Things will happen to upset us.  That's just normal.  People will do things that we don't like.  That's just normal.  We can't control that.  What happens when people say unkind or untrue words about us?  How do we react?  Do we become "unglued" and retailiate?  Or do we let God be our defense? 

We may not be able to control other people, but we can control our reaction.  Are we going to stop running when these storms happen?  .....if so....why?  That's like me turning around and going back inside because of a little rain.

God has called us to run the race with perseverance.  That means we are to keep going!  Keep pressing on!  Keep MOVING FORWARD! 

Stormy days will come.  Windy days will come.  The rain will fall.  But no matter what we are to keep steady on the race marked before us. 

God will never leave our side.  In fact, it is HIS arms we are running towards. 

(...and to top it off, we sang one of my favorite worship songs tonight!!!)

Oh I'm running to Your arms, I'm running to Your arms,
The riches of Your love will always be enough,
Nothing compares to Your embrace,
Light of the world forever reign.