My Morning Jog

The only way for me to get through a run alone is to make it a physical application/practice of a spiritual truth. When I begin a run, I have no clue how I'm going to be able to make it all the way to the midpoint goal and back without stopping. I cramp, I have trouble breathing, my legs are stiff as an oak trunk. But I remember my mom's voice "When you get a cramp, run through it. You've just got to run through..." and I slowly pace my breathing- in through the nose, out the mouth. 1-2-3, 1-2-3. 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4.

I am on my way back. I want to stop every other moment. I begin to, but I tell myself No! Keep going, keep going. Press toward the mark. Do not give up. I realize I have grown up a lot in the past year. I am practicing dying to myself and in return my heart is being strengthened. I think about the struggle it has been to die to my fleshly desires lately, but I know if I continue to choose to do so the Lord will strengthen my heart and perfect me to be used for the glory of His name and kingdom!  Maybe eventually dying to my flesh will become second nature. I have much to learn.

Nearing the end of my run, all I can do is quote Galatians 2:20 over and over:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Wow- my endurance is nothing. This run is nothing. ' [Jesus] visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men' (Isaiah 52:14). This is nothing for my flesh. And in life for my spirit: '...he hath poured out his soul unto death...and he bare the sin of many' (Isaiah 53:12). 

My sacrifice is nothing.