Meet the challenge

"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." Psalm 18:32

Most people train months or even years before attempting their first marathon. Not Sean Elmquist from Duluth Minnesota though. Having only trained for a half-marathon, he finished the 42nd annual Grandma's Marathon Saturday. It all started, he explained, when he got on the wrong bus and found himself at the full marathon starting line rather than the half marathon starting line. "I got this really sinking feeling.. but then I was like maybe I can just run the whole race." Talk about your day not going as planned! Despite the mixup, Sean said that he had a good time and would consider running 26.2 miles again, after careful planning of course. 

And you know, no matter how carefully you and I plan out 'life', we will still face unexpected challenges. It might be an unforeseen illness, a layoff notice, the threat of divorce or the death of a loved one. No matter what it is though, we would all do well to remember that God never promised us a life free from challenges--only that he would give us the strength to meet those challenges. In fact, the Bible tells us that "It is God" himself who furnishes and equips us "with strength" to finish the race when we don't have the power within ourselves to do it.  

So if you're feeling weak and incapable of taking another step today, consider the words of D.L. Moody and press on my friend... "When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that life will not always be easy and that we will all have plans that will go astray. Help us to remember that there is no problem, challenge or trial that is too big for us to overcome when we do it in Your strength. Thank You for loving us so much that You would personally walk with us through these times. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

You are my strength - Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0jjczHhi6c