Up and Over

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

Being an all around good runner requires the ability to adapt and overcome any situation. Like life, the road isn't always smooth or easy. In running, you will encounter hills, hurdles and road blocks. When facing a hill, runners won't stop to wonder how the hill got there or why it had to be there today of all days or throw up their hands in defeat. A runner motivated to finish will continue moving, probably a little slower than on an easy surface but still pressing on, until they have overcome the hill. Why? Because hills just happen - it's just life. They can't be avoided and if you want to run the race set before you, you have to overcome anything in your path.

While the most efficient way to run a flat course is to keep a consistent pace, the best way to conquer a hill is to run with consistent effort. The same is true in life. The bible tells us that we should, "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."(1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV). In other words, we should be consistent in our walk with the Lord...loyal, faithful, dependable, reliable and unwavering (steadfast and immovable). Likewise we should always be moving forward with consistent effort (always abounding in the work of the Lord). No matter the size of the hill, we just need to get "up and over" it.

While the hills of life can seem daunting and unyielding at the time, there is an upside. With every hill surmounted, the smaller the next one looks. With every hill God has been at your side helping you up, the stronger you get - the stronger your faith gets that He will be with you leading you up the next one, and the next one and the next...

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us hills in our life to show us the power of your strength in our lives. Help us to know that You are with us through it all, the hard times, the easy ones and every one in between. Thank You for being our help in times of trouble, our healer in times of hurt and our hope and happiness in all the times in between. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

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Psalm 121 - Brian Doerksen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g4eqKDkDiw