water, carbs and Jesus

Well, I'm gonna blog about it. If I am going to be real about where I am, then I have to blog about it. The Marathon. Tomorrow.

Eighteen weeks of training in the bag and now I just wait. And drink water. And eat carbs. And wait.

I intentionally haven't talked about the marathon much because something like this for me could easily become my identity. It has been so life consuming. But, it is not who I am, just something I am doing. So, if this is a blog about me and Jesus, then I have to blog about it. The Christian parallels are just to strong to not address.

I have had such a great experience training. I am SO thankful for Brent and the boys putting up with me through all of this and all of the time they have sacrificed for me to run. The Lord blessed me by meeting some amazing people through the group training runs here in town. I have honestly loved them just as much as I have loved the running. And my Dad. I can't get over my dad. He must be the most encouraging man on earth. He builds me up to the point of thinking I could win this thing. Ha. He is as excited and nervous and emotional as I am. Love you so much, Daddy. Tracie. What in the world? I wouldn't be surprised if you show up in a cheerleading outfit tomorrow. Pom-poms, camera, cowbell. I'm telling you, I wouldn't put is past you. I love your guts. And Jody Campbell. You are manna from Heaven. If I broke my leg today and didn't run, I'd say it was all worth it because the Lord made you my running partner. You are God's provision. I am so proud of you. Thank you for challenging me.

OK, enough of that. sniff. Jesus. Yes, Jesus. I wish I could say that I came up with the running the race and Jesus parallels, but the author of Hebrews beat me to the punch.

He writes, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

The word for fix here means "to look away from one thing so as to see another; to concentrate the gaze upon." Don't you know that tomorrow I will be looking away from the pain in my body, the horrible weather, the wet of my shoes, and the miles ahead and concentrating my gaze upon Christ, by whom I can do all things - Phillipians 4:13. He doesn't just give us strength, he is our strength. I honestly, honestly, honestly believe that we can do ANYTHING with him. But nothing apart - John 15:5.

I don't want the easy road. I don't need Jesus walking in the park, I need him in my hardest mile. I heard a friend say once that "Christians should do things that are hard. Christ did." I like that. You know one thing I love about Jesus? I love that he didn't go to the Cross because he wanted pain. He went to the Cross for the joy set before him. For the Prize. We are his Prize. He wanted the joy of the Finish. He set His eyes on the Father. As will I. My eyes fixed on the Father and the finish. To His name be the Glory.

Tomorrow I slay my Goliath. A fuel belt - my sash. Armed with five stones of Clif Blocks and Scripture as my slingshot.

Today, I eat, drink, pray and wait. I am so excited. And I am scared to death. If you think of me, pray. I know it will be good, even if its bad - it will be good.

Because He is good.

Be blessed.