I ran a very special race this weekend. I have been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks. But sometimes when you’re looking forward to something, it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. I have been stuffy and congested for several weeks and I was hopeful to be better and run in good health. I was disappointed as the day got closer that I wasn’t, but I was still determined to run this race. By 8:00 that morning I was able to breathe (through both sides of my nose-you know how that goes?) The only problem was the race didn’t start for an hour and my nose has been playing cruel tricks on me. When the hour came to run, I wasn’t breathing. But it was pouring down rain (which delayed the start time) and I began to remember and breathe in His grace.
And I paused to thank God for His grace. To breathe. Have you ever thought about that? What a precious gift. And though I wasn’t breathing through my nose, I was breathing in grace. It’s all grace because for years I took this gift for granted by smoking.
But two years ago I knew it was time to quit. There were many good reasons to quit but they were never enough for me to do it. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit revealed to me the separation it was causing me. Most important of all, my eyes were opened to the separation and damage I was causing to my relationship with the Lord. I desired to be closer to Him and worship Him fully and I knew I couldn’t grow hanging on to the comfort I had in smoking. And that’s where sin takes you. To a comfortable place. But that’s not where sin keeps you. It moves to a place of destruction. Physically and spiritually. And I knew apart from Him I couldn’t do it and my heart’s desire was to completely destroy what was destroying me. Those are the words I prayed. And He.Is.Faithful.
My first day of quitting two years ago, I walked this very race that I was able to run this weekend. It marks a genesis for me. It’s no coincidence that this course is the hardest I have ever done. It has killer hills and in mid-July it’s blazing hot. The course is a great reminder of the hills I’ve climbed in life and the pits God has pulled me out of. It’s rough, but it’s worth it. It causes me to work harder, be diligent, preserve and do it all for the glory of God.
As the rain poured, it poured like grace and I was overwhelmed with a grateful heart. Because it really is the obstacles and the tough courses that cause me to pause and give thanks. Because there is always grace. Our sin deserves death but instead God gives us a gift. I shouldn't be able to run but what He’s granted, I don’t want to take for granted. So I run the race to hear Him say, “Well done.” And I breathe in His grace and breathe out His praise. And am grateful. And though our courses may be different, I hope to encourage you in your race.
And I paused to thank God for His grace. To breathe. Have you ever thought about that? What a precious gift. And though I wasn’t breathing through my nose, I was breathing in grace. It’s all grace because for years I took this gift for granted by smoking.
But two years ago I knew it was time to quit. There were many good reasons to quit but they were never enough for me to do it. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit revealed to me the separation it was causing me. Most important of all, my eyes were opened to the separation and damage I was causing to my relationship with the Lord. I desired to be closer to Him and worship Him fully and I knew I couldn’t grow hanging on to the comfort I had in smoking. And that’s where sin takes you. To a comfortable place. But that’s not where sin keeps you. It moves to a place of destruction. Physically and spiritually. And I knew apart from Him I couldn’t do it and my heart’s desire was to completely destroy what was destroying me. Those are the words I prayed. And He.Is.Faithful.
My first day of quitting two years ago, I walked this very race that I was able to run this weekend. It marks a genesis for me. It’s no coincidence that this course is the hardest I have ever done. It has killer hills and in mid-July it’s blazing hot. The course is a great reminder of the hills I’ve climbed in life and the pits God has pulled me out of. It’s rough, but it’s worth it. It causes me to work harder, be diligent, preserve and do it all for the glory of God.
As the rain poured, it poured like grace and I was overwhelmed with a grateful heart. Because it really is the obstacles and the tough courses that cause me to pause and give thanks. Because there is always grace. Our sin deserves death but instead God gives us a gift. I shouldn't be able to run but what He’s granted, I don’t want to take for granted. So I run the race to hear Him say, “Well done.” And I breathe in His grace and breathe out His praise. And am grateful. And though our courses may be different, I hope to encourage you in your race.
{That's Grace}