It's also gonna be for my own good, because He loves me like that...enough to not let me settle for where I'm at.
Back in January two things happened.
- The Bible Study, Living Beyond Yourself began. He used amazing women to bring this about, from the idea of it, to another bloggy pastor's wife to send me the DVDs, without hesitation!
- The 1/2 Mary idea. An idea that I'd never even considered, because who in their right mind wants to run that long?!?! NOT ME. The idea was first planted by a good friend...and from there the Holy Spirit just would not let me get it out of my head.
There's a reason. There's a theme. The most important, spiritually, is that I have GOT to live beyond myself...I cannot make it on my own strength and abilities. I just cannot. It's one thing to know this, it's a whole other thing to actually stop doing it on my own, and allow Him to do it.
Here comes the 1/2 Mary plan into motion. I do not love running. I want to, I really want to. The idea of training for the 1/2 is as daunting as the 13.1 mile race for me. Because on my own, I'm lazy. And a quitter. And He whispers to my heart,
You're right Sarah...you won't make it on your own, that's why I'm here. And I'm not gonna let you quit, because this lesson here, it's so, so important my child. It's time to start living beyond yourself...spiritually and physically, because then maybe you'll get what I'm trying to teach you here.
And you know what? I believe Him. I'm scared. And I'm skeptical. And I'm still lazy and whiny...but He doesn't care and He doesn't give up, because He knows that when I finally "get" it, it's gonna all be worth it.
It's gonna be worth it.
I love songs that just speak exactly what I'm feeling...this one hits it dead on. If there's one thing that people walk away from, after knowing me in person, or through this blog, is that I am nothing without Him, nothing without His love.
Enjoy :)
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What a great song to start the day with! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA couple of friends and I started that study and already I KNOW that it is exactly what I need RIGHT NOW!
Thanks for the encouragement ... and yes ... HE is the only reason I survived the day ... and the only reason I think I can make it through today too. {long night last night}
Bless you friend ~ Keep on striving for the goals He has placed on your heart ~ He'll get you there!
You know what? I heart you so much too! Especially for posts like this!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Love this song. My first time hearing it! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeletewell spoken my new friend... (((hugs))) to you!
ReplyDeleteI have such admiration of you!
ReplyDeleteIf God told me to train to run a race I'd say:
"Umm, I thik you dialed the wrong number..."
Ha ha ha.
Now if it were a hug-a-thon, well then I could go the distance.
It ALWAYS amazs me how He works in us, to bring things to our attention, with such patience to let us whine over it and pout about it. And he just waits for us to come to him..."Okay, Lord. I'm here. I'm not smiling but I'm here, because you asked it of me."
SMILE Sarah! SMILE! For you are LOVED.
ahhh that post reminds me of....daaa ddaaaa da a Casting Crowns song of course :)
ReplyDeleteIn Me
If you ask me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If You ask me to go
Preach to the lost world that Jesus saves
I'll go, but I cannot go alone
Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong
Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that you want me
So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me
If You ask me to run
And carry Your light into foreign land
If You ask me to fight
Deliver Your people from Satan's hand
To reach out with Your hands
To learn through Your eyes
To love with the love of a Savior
To feel with Your heart
And to think with Your mind
I'd give my last breath for Your glory
ahh, I love that I can use a Crowns song and apply it to EVERYTHING!! LOVE THEM!
Love you too!!!
Hang on to your hat because training for that thing is going to bring so many stinking spiritual lessons your way. There's a reason the "run the race" verses are in the bible. It's a perfect analogy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you for taking the risk. He won't let you down.
Exactly what I needed to hear today! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I'm crying. I'm not the crying type.
ReplyDeleteI live in Louisville and tomorrow is the last race of the Triple Crown of running. It is a ten mile race, the first was a 5k and then a 10k. If you complete all three races, there is a special triple crown t-shirt. That t-shirt is my goal. There is also a mini and a full mary.
My mom is only 64 and has severe dementia. If I follow her, I have 20 years (she was diagnosed at 61 and I am 41). It has been very difficult to lose her. So I started walking and I signed up for all three races. I thought if I can do this, I can do anything. But I don't like it. You are right, there is no reason to walk or run so far. I'm really worried I won't finish the 10 mile race. What has really hit me this week is that I can't do it alone. I really can't. I can't do it without HIM.
At a service at church yesterday, part of Psalm 113 was read. This is what hit me - "I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living."
So tomorrow when I get about 6 miles into the race and wish it was over because no one needs to walk that far --- I will be praying, "I WILL WALK IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING." Halleluiah (how do you spell that?)
Thank you so much. I feel like God has talked to me through your blog today. I will walk tomorrow and I will not stop until I finish or they reopen the streets, whichever comes first. Please pray for me.
Great Post, Great Song!!!!
ReplyDeleteI so needed this, thank you. I am independant, and have a hard time giving things fully to God. I always give him some, but keep some for me. Maybe it's a control thing? Happy Easter to you!
ReplyDeleteI joke that God drop pebbles on most people and they hear Him... on me? He drops small houses.
ReplyDeleteDo you KNOW how much I needed to read this post today? You may be a sweet, running, adorable pastor's wife? But today? You are my rock star!
Hi Sarah, come see my newest post, I think you'll like it! Titled: Easter As A PW.
ReplyDelete