This days run was pretty good! Like normal, I woke up before the sun and spent time in prayer and Bible. I made coffee, washed dishes, stretched and then headed out. Earlier this week, while reading about the mental side of marathon training, one thing that stood out to me was when they said to imagine what it will be like at the finish line. What do you want to look like? What do want to feel like? Before I began my new route, I imagined what it would be like when I was in this same spot a half hour from now. I pictured being overjoyed because of my time and praising God for the run.
The first mile was under ten minutes and I was feeling great. At the one and a quarter mile mark, I was enjoying the scenery with a little more toughness. Three quarters of a mile later I was beginning to feel awesome. The last mile was again under ten minutes. I was ecstatic! The time was not that bad, especially since I had to walk past a house twice to avoid over exciting a dog, I had to wait for a car to pass before crossing a road twice, and I even stopped to remove rocks from the tread on my shoes.
What made today’s run so different from every other day? God kept reminding me to think of the end result when it got tough. I knew I was going to feel great as long as my mind did not get the best of me, which is very often the case. The next few days I continued to practice this. It kept my energy level up and created hope in me to continue pressing forward.
During my work later that day, I also looked to the end. I love watching the sunset while praying at the end of the day, and I knew I would feel relaxed and at peace. During hard spiritual battles it encourages me to imagine the end, where we will be with Jesus forever.
It has always given me hope during any difficult situation to imagine the end of something. Especially heaven and my home there. During a temptation, imaging the outcome of overcoming it. During physical weakness, the way I feel after a nap or day off. We are supposed to thank God for and in everything, whether we feel like it or not, but we are to never dwell on the hard times.
Jesus did this when he was faced with the crucifixion.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Because of the joy that was at the end, he endured the cross… and the pain.
But before we can do this, we have to know what the end is?
For earthly jobs, Is it a clean house, despite the rowdy children? Is it a weedless garden, despite the heat? Is it a seemingly never ending project complete?
Our main focus in life should be to look to Jesus.
Hebrews 12:3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
What is your end?
Be Still and Run 