I ventured way out of my comfort zone and did my first 5k this weekend. I know it doesn’t sound like much but for me it was quite a feat. The day began cold and dreary as we made our way up the mountain to the run location. We gathered to get our racing numbers and take our places. The first mile was not bad and I thought to myself, I can do this! After the first mile we quickly started ascending up hill. It was quite rugged and many times I had trouble maintaining my focus. I started dwelling on how rough the climb was, how narrow the path could be and all the dangers that could be lurking. I am certain it was a rattlesnake breeding ground. I thought ” this course is not looking easy”.
I had been exercising several times a week so it wasn’t that I was in terrible shape, however I live in a very flat place in my town so nothing could have easily prepared me for the hills I was going to encounter, although I was happy I had spent time on the stair stepper and the elliptical machine. Approximately ¾ of a mile in it I found my whole out look changing. I noticed the beautiful wild flowers and I heard birds chirping as if they were cheering me on. As I reached the top of the hill there was a beautiful open meadow and you could see miles and miles in the distance.
I had a fleeting moment where I thought to myself maybe I should just cut through the meadow for a little shortcut and then I remembered the potential snakes. It got me thinking how much that run was like my daily walk with the Lord. Life is full of tiny dangerous paths, there are things out there waiting to get us. Jesus urges us to stay on the clear paths set before us. He will keep us from danger and taking shortcuts is usually not to our advantage. I made it to the top of the mountain and could see the beautiful valley and where I had come from. It was amazing seeing what was behind me that I had made it through. There are times in our life where it is good that we can’t always see what is ahead of us. God’s grace protects us in showing us just enough path to make it a little further. I know many times in my life I would not have kept going if I was able to see what was ahead. Not seeing helps us to fully rely on God. It is the very depths of where our faith arises from.
We always want mountaintop experiences but often times our greatest growth is along the path. I noticed one other thing that day. I started with a group of people but several times found myself alone on the mountain, some were quicker than me and some slower. I was reminded my walk with Jesus is the same, it is mine. I am the one that knows when it is time to keep forging forward to what is ahead and when it is good to slow the pace and have God direct me when I am confused by different directions. I have to say, the feeling I felt crossing that finish line was exhilarating, I can’t imagine what it will be like when I finish the race here on this earth.
Until next time…
robynstroup 
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