All of God, None of Me

I knew this day was coming. I started a new running program a few weeks ago and until now, progress has been made with small manageable steps. This week however was the one that takes a giant leap forward. Nonetheless to move forward, I have to do it. To live in victory and not defeat, I must press on. In this program each week you get three chances to master the new level before moving to the next level or week. As I read the instructions for Week 4, Day 1, I had to do a double take. I wasn't sure I could do it, but with much prayer and endurance I was able to complete the run, though victory demanded my all. Because the first day was very difficult, I was dreading day two, but knowing I had already accomplished the task once made me jump in asking God to help me. It was a hard run. I asked God for help. I was leaning hard on Him the last segment but I fell short. About a minute before my time was up,I had to stop I couldn't go on. I wanted to make it so badly. Tears welled up. I had failed. I felt God didn't come through. I was defeated and discouraged. Have you ever been at THAT place? Needless to say, when Week 4, Day 3 came around, I was dreading it all the more. I wanted victory. I sought God for help, openly admitting to him there was no way I could do it on my own. I knew I couldn't. I had tried and failed. At this point, I wanted victory and I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I started running that day knowing that if God didn't carry me, I would not reach the finish line. But as the signal came across my phone and I took my last running step into victory, I knew God had indeed carried me. He gave me the strength to endure. I again wanted to cry but this time in awe of the one that had accomplished the thing through me. So why did God not show up the run before? I believe He was trying to show me my frailty, my weakness. His whisper: "Without me, you can do nothing." Week 4, Day 3 was all of God and none of me. I needed him from step one and because of my failure I knew it. You need Him from step one. Do you know it? Rely on Him today. Victory is yours through Him and Him alone. I couldn't take one ounce of credit that day and that's how God wants it. All of God, and none of me. Ephesians 2:8,9- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." I Corinthians 1:29-31-"That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Running the Race

The last five weeks I have changed my morning routine to include exercise. The program is called couch to 5K, which you can look up on line to get more specifics. I began slowly with the first day including a five-minute walk, one-minute run and then finishing with five more minutes of walking. At that time, I thought jogging for five minutes would be out of reach. Praise the Lord, I am ecstatically reporting that at the end of last week I ran for nine minutes straight. Today, I am happy to say I ran six minutes, walked five, ran six and walked five again. I feel my body getting stronger. I am finding that if I get up and run, my food choices become better as well. I want to give total glory to God for what has been accomplished. I am half way through the program and feel victorious. Running has so many spiritual aspects or examples to it, but the one I want to focus on today is the way that one simple obedient step leads to more obedient steps. Just as when I make a commitment to run in the morning, other behaviors change throughout the day. I eat better, which gives me more energy, which enables me to keep going all day, which burns more calories, which makes a day filled with victory and makes me want to repeat it. It is a domino effect. I believe the same goes for victory in our spiritual lives. The more we choose to seek God personally ever day, the more victory we have over sin, the more spiritual fruit we exhibit, the more we look like Christ. Another domino effect! The hardest step is the first step, make a habit of seeking him daily and the rest will follow. Live victoriously. Make the choice.
Matt. 6:33- "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and these things shall be added unto you."
II Tim.4:7- "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"