Heb 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
When all the gyms closed down, due to the Covid -19 Pandemic, I was forced to start working out at home. I decided to start walking the dog more and from there I began to jog. I had to start small and work myself up to where I could run further little by little. Just last week I was proud of myself because I ran further than I ever ran before. I also noticed that I do not run out of oxygen so easily and get tired as fast.
It such a great feeling when you finished your run and you can experience the endorphins being released to your brain telling you to do this again. Running for me is more than just exercise and trying to lose weight. It is also another way for me to commune with G-D. As I run it allows me to just focus on the run and lean on the Lord’s strengths to finish the course.
Most people will not get up and run without properly preparing themselves. Especially if you plan to run a distance. For example, think about the people who run marathons and what it takes for them to properly prepare to run a 20 mile or more race. I know for me just to run 1-3 miles I have to prepare myself. I have to stretch, make sure I’m wearing the proper clothing, the right music, and be mentally ready to run not allowing any distractions to hinder me.
If you think that is a lot, imagine preparing to run a marathon. You have to start small. In most cases, someone will not be able to run a 26-mile race if they never ran a 5k or 10k. Many runners run years before the marathon preparing themselves to run the distance. Secondly, know your limits do not compare your run with someone else’s. You may run 10 miles when someone else runs 20 miles but know physically capability. Lastly, a diet I believe we all know what we eat will impact how we run a race. Just the same, preparing to run naturally is similar to running spiritually. The Holy Scriptures remind us that we all have a set race to run. My run is not your run but as believers, we all have a race to run. “Our journey with the Lord is not for sprinters but for those who can endure until the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). In my early walk with the Lord, I wanted everything right away trying to beat the clock and have everything by the time I was thirty. I know better now just as I’m still maturing and in comparison to running naturally, I’ll get there little by little.
In closing, I encouraged you as a believer in Yeshua Hamashiach to run the race that is set before you. Only you and The Adoni knows what is your run. But the sooner you start it, the easier it will get. We have many biblical examples of those who finished their race. According to (Smith, 2010) Smith’s dictionary Paul's letters referred to running the race was influenced by the Greek contests, he might have witnessed during his first visit to Corinth. He compared our spiritual walk with Yeshua with how the Greeks naturally prepared for a race. But the best example we have is Yeshua; he endured until the end (Heb 12:2). Run your race and I’ll see you in the end.
Sidebar: While running I noticed how my dog is focused until she sees another dog or something that distracts her. Then I have to get her back on track by tightening up the leash and bring her closer to me. We can all go astray at times and become distracted while running our race but G-D has a way of getting us back on course by pulling us closer to Him.
Shabbat Shalom,
You’re Sister Shakina
Smith, W. (14 Dec 2010). Games - Smith's Bible Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/dictionary/viewtopic.cfm
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