Running the Race

Hello!

So, I am a notorious last minute packer.  I tend to procrastinate in getting things done and waiting until the last minute.  However, I finished three hours ahead of schedule, so I thought I would take the time out to write a blog post on what has been going through my head today, which is a lot!

I have been able to have a lot of fresh starts in my life. All of these fresh starts have always been made easier to do based on the fact that I was running away from something or some situation at the time.  It is very easy to run away, and I can say that I have become very good at it.  Tangent:  I recently got this Journal which asks you a question everyday, and today's question was actually, "What are you running away from. (end tangent)"  However, this is the first time that I am going back to the same place, and am not starting over. 

Now, instead of running away from something, I feel the urge to run towards something.

My goal for the rest of 2014 is to strive for this verse.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. -2 Timothy 4:7

It is sad to admit, but I don't think I have been fighting my hardest.  I feel like I have been holding back.  Whether it was to please people, or to protect them from being hurt, I have felt that I have not been going that extra mile.  I have gotten caught up in earthly things...and I have been afraid, and I have not always had the heart of a servant.  This summer I was very lackadaisical.  From a health standpoint, my diet was not as good as it should have been, and I did not exercise as regularly as I should have.  Needless to say, I have a fight waiting for me in South America. 

But, like I said earlier, I want to run towards something, not away.  

I am still trying to figure out what that something is that I am running towards, maybe it is a hole I have had in my life or something that is missing.  I do know that this race leads me towards a more intimate relationship with God, a relationship that I am excited to pursue.  I have a feeling a great romance is going to be realized this year! 

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Think of Paul, who stated in Acts:

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.

Do you think it was easy for Paul to do everything he did?  I can guarantee you that surviving being stoned was probably not easy.  Preaching to people who wanted to kill you was probably not easy.  And constantly having to leave your friends behind with no real easy way of contacting them (remember, no Skype, Facetime, or Facebook in the Bible) wasn't easy either.  He did it though.  Paul lived his life for the Lord.  

Selfishly, I think this is probably the hardest it every has been to leave.  This summer has shown me a friends and family circle that is full of warmth and love and support.  I am so very thankful for all of the people that God has placed in my life, and am finding it really hard to leave.  However, I am going where God calls me.  Right now, I am called to go.  Go to a place that might have conflict, drama and hardship.  However, I will get to see my kids.  I am so excited to see my students and talk to them.  God is good, and I know this year is going to be a great year full of change and romance!  Prayers for safe travel!

So, what are you running towards?