Up Hill And Into The Wind

A few miles from my house is a very big hill. It is about 3/4 of a mile long. There are many days when I am out running that I would just assume avoid that hill, but I run it because I know that even though it is hard, it will benefit me in the long run. It will help to strengthen my legs and increase my endurance.

While out on my run today, I had just finished 7 miles when I turned the corner to start that up hill climb. As I did I quickly realized that I would be running 3/4 of a mile up hill and into the wind. Needless to say this was a lot harder than usual.

As I was running I couldn't help but think of John 9. There we read about a man who was born blind.

John 9:1-3 says,  As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Did you catch that? The man was born blind "so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

This man must have felt like he was running up hill and into the wind his entire life. But because of this man's blindness, Jesus had an opportunity to show His power and bless this man's life.

What if the struggles I go though in this life are really opportunities for God to show His power and bless my life?

There is a popular song entitled "Blessings". Part of that song says this, "What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near? What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?"

Think about that, what if the times in life when it seems like you are running up hill and into the wind are really opportunities for God's blessings? 

Encouraging Others

The other day I was out on a 19 mile run. Whenever I run I always carry Gatorade with me, but on a 19 miles run I need more than I can carry. So I decided that I would run out 5 miles then back to the house where my wife would be waiting to fill up my Gatorade bottles then  I could finish my run.

As I was running down my street I could see all my girls standing at the end of the driveway cheering me on. I gave them my Gatorade bottles and kept running down the street as my wife went to fill them up. My girls kept cheering me on as I was running down the street and back.

After picking up my now filled bottles, I took off out of the neighborhood to finish out the 19 miles. It was so encouraging to have my girls cheering for me as I ran.

As I left the neighborhood to finish the run, a verse came to my mind.

Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Just as my girls encouraged me while I was running, we need to be encouraging others as we run this race called the Christian life.

Who can you encourage today?