“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19,20 NIV
After what can only be described as one of the most epic finishes I have ever been blessed to witness, my dear friend Gretchen posted, “I just want to post a shout-out to the one and only Linda Luckritz who completed her very first 5k this morning at the #FFG Donut run!! She has come back from so much adversity to achieve this goal and my heart is still beaming with joy for her!!!” And what made this finish even more unforgettable for Gretchen and me was not just how the Frog Fitness Group had banded together to cheer Linda on and celebrate her hard-earned victory but the story that was behind it; a story of friendship and one that was a year in the making. You see, Linda, a teacher who works with Gretchen, couldn’t even walk her students to the school bus a year ago. She knew she needed to make a change but didn’t know where to begin. And that’s where the story gets good. Gretchen invited Linda to attend the aqua running classes I’m so blessed to teach where she not only gained endurance but the courage and self-esteem she needed to eventually say to Gretchen, “I have a goal to walk a whole mile.” Linda reached that goal with Gretchen by her side every step of the way, then made bigger goals, and is now seemingly unstoppable. But that’s what good and godly friends do right? They inspire us to be the best that we can be.
And you know, good and godly friends will not only provide the support you and I need to overcome physical adversity but spiritual adversity as well. Consider Peter and John. Described as courageous, these disciples were boldly preaching the gospel when they were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin and commanded not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Rather than cower down to the threats of the council though, both Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” As this story shows, having a friend by our side is the very thing that can inspire us to be courageous and bold in the face of difficulty and unfavorable conditions.
So knowing the priceless value of having good and godly friends and being a part of good and godly groups, make every attempt to surround yourself with people that will inspire you to be the best that you can be both physically and spiritually. You’ll be so glad you did my friend. In fact you might even consider yourself unstoppable after doing so.
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that encouragement is very powerful as is the presence of a like-minded friend or group of them. Help us to be those people that preach the Good News and share Your love not only by our words but by our actions Lord. Cause us to continually look for ways to lift up our brothers and sisters and to inspire them to be the best they can be knowing that doing so will have a ripple effect. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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