Endurance Races

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)

I coach a running club for kids. Most of the students can run faster than me for a mile, but I have an advantage over them on longer runs. Their youth gives them speed and energy, but years of running have given me more endurance.

My definition of endurance--the ability to go through a difficult situation without giving up. I don’t think people are born with the capacity for endurance; it is a discipline that has to be developed through training. No one enjoys hardship. Yet, runners pay a fee and sign up to run 26.2 miles. Why? They know the value of perseverance, and they hope by training intentionally they will increase their strength and tolerance for pain.

Restrictive Thought Patterns

“Wherever the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 GWT)

What came naturally to most kids--playing games, hand-eye coordination, running without getting winded--all seemed out of my reach when I was in school. I was seen as the nerd. I accepted this label. For the longest time, I saw myself as physically weak and uncoordinated. Thus, when I started running in my late twenties, I constantly doubted myself. Negative messages kept replaying in my mind: Who am I kidding? I could barely run a mile in high school; what makes me think I can do any better after I’ve had a baby? My gait is weird. I’m so slow. I should spend my time on something I’m good at. I am not a runner!”

Your inner critic may repeat messages that are different than mine:

--You are fat and ugly

--You are stupid and everyone knows it

--You are defective

--You have no future, everything is hopeless

Restrictive thought patterns can be our own worst enemy. The way we see ourselves influences our choices and actions. The longer we stay in bondage, the more we succumb to slave mentality. 

There is only one way to free our minds from limitations. Turn to the Holy Spirit. Pray that you may see yourself as God sees you. Ask for a revelation of your true identity. The Spirit will supply you with the energy to rise above human expectations, to soar high on wings of freedom, to be who God created you to be.

Smooth Liars

“When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies.” (John 8:44 MSG)

Why do we elect leaders who routinely lie about small things and big things? They cheat on their taxes and their spouses. They exaggerate their wealth and their achievements. They rip off their clients, neighbors, and business partners. They accuse others of wrongdoings while never owning up to their own mistakes. Why do we continue to indulge people who are conniving to take advantage of others? Why do we excuse deceptive behavior? 

Well, we recognize that everyone lies, sometimes--including us. We have accepted it as ‘normal’ behavior. We hang on to the hope that the liars will be honest with us and save their deceit for others--preferably people whom we don’t care about. When we like someone, we tend to see what we want to see in them. When we encounter data that doesn’t fit our preconceptions, we overlook it as irrelevant information. This self-deception leads us down a dangerous path. We not only become victims of fraud, but also perpetrators of dishonesty. 

“A good person hates deceit, but those who are evil cause shame and disgrace.” (Proverbs 13:5 CEV) 

Forcing Blooms

“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD.” (Zechariah 4:6 NLT)

A few years ago, I bought some flowering bulbs as a gift for a friend’s birthday. I followed all the instructions that came with the kit--I planted them in potting soil, watered them, and placed the pot on a sunny windowsill. They were supposed to flower in six weeks. Well, they didn’t! I read online that heat might help force the plant to bloom, so a week before the birthday, I tried using a blow dryer to encourage the flowers to come out. Still nothing. I dumped the contents of the pot outside in my flower bed and surrendered my failed project to nature. I ended up buying another gift for my friend’s birthday that year.

Well, it took a while, but the flowers finally bloomed. It was exciting to see these flowers after waiting so long for them. But what was surprising is that they popped up the following year too--beautiful and wild--blooming in unexpected shades and spaces all over the back garden.

I remember these bulbs whenever I feel like a failure. Sometimes I can’t make things happen no matter how much I try. Pressure does not induce maturity. I can’t force growth--my own or that of others. And even if I have strong faith and pray diligently--I may not get what I want, when I want it. 

Every situation that is surrendered to the Lord will bloom in due time. The Holy Spirit is uncontainable, wild, and beautiful--popping up in unpredictable shades and spaces. True transformation cannot be coerced--it is always dependent on the Spirit of God.

Activating Faith

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

When a new credit card arrives in the mail, it has to be activated before it can be used. You have to call the number on the sticker attached to the card from your home phone number. Then, you have to sign the back of the card. Now the card is ready for use. If the card remains unactivated and unused for a long time, the credit card company may close the account.

“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” (Psalm 91:15 NLT)

Having faith is not enough; it must be activated and used. We must call on God, sign our name to His promises, and confidently put Him in charge of our needs. Faith is not meant to be stored away until a crisis hits. Practice depending on God daily--for small and large transactions. Build confidence in Him. Let your life reflect trust and assurance in the Lord.

Truthful Actions

“Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:18-20 NLT)

Speaking truth is not always fun. Most of us are eager to say nice things to others, but we hem and haw when faced with difficult conversations--even with our good friends. Truthful actions are even more challenging. I try to maintain a personal code of behavior with those I care about: I make time to be available if they need me; I communicate consistently and authentically with them; I respect their boundaries, once they clearly define them. When I slip up and my behavior is incongruent with the truth, I feel guilty. Yet, God knows my intentions are sincere. Thus, I approach the Father with boldness and confidence, knowing He understands me even when I am misunderstood by others.

Applying What We Learn

“However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.” (James 1:25 GWT)

I’ve always loved learning. When I was in college, I spent years taking notes, making flash cards, memorizing, studying, and taking tests. However, much of what I learned did not have any real life applications, so I’ve forgotten most of it now. In contrast, I can easily remember certain recipes that I’ve used consistently over the years. I didn’t even try to memorize these recipes; they are just imprinted in my mind from repeated use. On days when I am too exhausted to think, I always make one of these recipes.

Studying God’s word has some benefit. Reading, listening, meditating, processing--all help us learn. However, consistently practicing what Christ taught is much more valuable. Jesus modeled compassion, generosity, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, love, non-violence, and inclusivity. He honored the Father by devoting himself to prayer, service to others, and speaking the truth.  Incorporating these lessons into our daily lives requires intentionality. We can imprint these teachings into our minds by consistent application. Then, even during times of adversity, these practices come to us naturally, because they have become a part of who we are. Like Christ, we are enabled to live simply, love unconditionally, pray in the midst of turmoil, have compassion for strangers, and forgive our enemies.