Don't Stop!

Im training for a 10k and went on a run with Matt the other day. I tend to avoid runs with Matt because 1. He runs longer and harder than me and 2. I hate losing! 

So I decided I needed to be challenged and that I was going to keep up and finish. It was a little over 3 miles with lots of hills. Of course right off the bat he is ahead of me (he has longer legs- okay!) I am trying to set a steady pace and don't want to poop out too early. At one point I pushed ahead and was about 10 steps in front of him until... we reached a hill. One thing I knew for sure- I wasn't stopping but that hill killed me! 

By the time I reached the top I was done. I wanted to stop. I had nothing to prove. My feet hurt. I was going to vomit. 

And Matt was ready for more. He asked, "Do you want to take a short cut to end early?" hum.... NO! I told myself I would finish and I was going to. We had one last hill and it was worse than the first. I was determined to get up it and not stop running. I just kept telling myself, "Just don't stop running, don't stop moving forward, keep going". 

And thats what I did- I made it home and I didn't stop. I didn't take a short cut. I was behind Matt but I finished! 

This gave a new meaning to Hebrews 12:1-3

"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 perserverance 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "

Life is so much like a run. We can start off good with the best goals in mind but we soon hit hills that leave us winded and wanting to stop or take a short cut. We must keep moving! Don't stop. Keep pressing on toward that goal. As we fix our eyes on Jesus who in that very moment is perfecting our faith, He is working in us not only to finish the race but finish well. Every hill or opposition is in our favor. Training us to run longer and harder this life that is mapped out for us. Lets not take the short cut or we miss out on the adventure of the run.