Only Prayer has the Power

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

In a heartbreaking story published by the Miami Herald on Wednesday, it was reported that:

A 33-year-old man running the Miami Marathon with thousands of other participants on Sunday collapsed during the race and later died, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Julien Autissier suffered a “medical emergency” during the 26.2-mile race, which started at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami, said a Miami Fire Rescue spokesperson.

The Miami New Times reported Autissier collapsed around the 19-mile mark and was from Boca Raton.

He was rushed to Mercy Hospital, but died. His cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but Miami police told the Miami Herald he possibly suffered a cardiac arrest. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office said Autissier’s cause of death is still pending.

According to Herald archives, Autissier’s death appears to be the first in the race’s 24-year history.

Life Time Miami, the organizer of the event, affirmed in a statement that medical, safety and weather-related protocols were in place. The organization also said it will “carefully review what occurred to ensure we are supporting the safety and well-being of our athletes.”

“The death of Mr. Autissier in our Miami Marathon is deeply felt, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read.

And, you know, although it’s a kind gesture to keep someone going through an incredibly difficult time in our thoughts, you and I would do well to pray for them as well. You see, thoughts alone have no power to comfort those who are hurting. But “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This means the earnest, heartfelt prayers of someone in right standing with God—justified through faith in Christ rather than perfect behavior—carry great influence and produce results beyond anything else we could ever do.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

And since we know that “the LORD is close to the brokenhearted,” and the only One who completely understands the pain of someone who’s “crushed in spirit,” we can know that our prayers have the power to console and heal. This is something our mere thoughts or well wishes are powerless to do.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

So, pray for those who are hurting my friend. And don’t be afraid to publicly declare it either. In a world where it’s more acceptable to say things like “I’ll be thinking of you during these difficult times” or “I’m sending positive thoughts your way,” stand up and declare “I will be praying to the God of all comfort for You. I will be praying that the Father of compassion will bring peace and restoration to your hurting heart today in a way that only He can.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the prayers of your saints have the power to move mountains, break down strongholds, and comfort the brokenhearted and the crushed in spirit. Help us to be bold in our prayers Lord so that people would see our passion and come to know that the God we pray to is real. Stir our hearts to pray fervently and expectantly for your glory. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Stay Right on Pace

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

In an astonishing story titled “60-Year-Old Runs 5:26 Mile to Set New Age Group World Record” published by Runner’s World recently, it was reported that Michelle Rohl, a three-time Olympian in race walking, now owns five age group world records on the track.

At 60 years old, Michelle Rohl just added another world record to her growing collection of accolades on the track.

At the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on January 24, the three-time Olympian placed eighth in 5:26.65 in the masters mile. Running in the middle of the pack for much of the race, Rohl improved on the previous indoor world record for women between the ages of 60 and 64 by more than a second. Sascha Scott, 50, won the race in 5:15.02.

Rohl’s performance in Boston is her fifth age-group world record on the track. She came close to breaking the mile record last weekend in Ithaca, New York, but fell behind in the last quarter mile. This time, she stayed right on pace.

And, you know, as this story shows, staying “right on pace” is extremely important in making it to the finish line. This is true in our spiritual lives as well. Hence the reason Paul said, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Paul knew that we needed the guidance of the Holy Spirit to get us through this life. Which means that he clearly understood that falling behind the Spirit could spell trouble for the believer in the same way that getting ahead of the Spirit could, since they both cause us to get out of step. 

You see, living by the Spirit involves keeping in exact step with the Spirit. It involves adjusting our pace to match the pace and direction the Spirit is leading us. In other words, it involves submitting completely to God's way and going in whatever direction He calls us to go, submitting to His timing rather than our own. 

In addition, keeping in step with the Spirit means actively following the Holy Spirit's guidance in daily life through consistent prayer, Bible study, worship, yielding our wills, listening for His promptings, and living in a way that honors Him. 

It requires us to align our actions, words, and thoughts with God's will rather than our own desires or the world's standards (which are totally contrary to the Lord’s). It's a continuous process of walking against the world to be in complete rhythm with God, matching his cadence and allowing His enabling power to produce fruit in our lives that shows we are running the race for Him, and Him alone. 

"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not remain angry forever." Jeremiah 3:12 NKJV

And thankfully, in the same way a runner can get back on pace if they’ve fallen behind, a believer can get back in step with the spirit if they have fallen behind as well by turning back to God. You see, just as God called "backsliding Israel" to "return" and was merciful to them when they did, He is still merciful to his children today, promising restoration to all those who sincerely repent and return to Him. 

So, if that's you today.... if you've found yourself in a backslidden state and out of step with the Spirit, turn from your own ways and turn back to God my friend. Then, from this moment forward, be vigilant in staying right on pace with the Spirit so you'll match Him step for step until you reach the finish line. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there is hope for those who have backslidden if they will return to You in sincere repentance. Lord, help us to stay in step with the Spirit that we might not get off track or lead others astray. Help us to be shining examples of what it means to live by the Spirit so we can lead others to the finish line. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Add Hiking to Your Winter Routine

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about the crazy snowstorm that hit much of the nation, but definitely the Ozarks, over the weekend. And let's not fail to mention the bitter cold that came along with the winter precipitation. Between the two, many runners (except those who own and embrace a treadmill) like me were in a quandary over what to do. 

I knew running would be possible on the slick streets with the proper footwear, which I have (HOKA trail shoes and YakTrax). But I also knew that getting in the mileage I wanted was going to take forever, as I'd have to dramatically slow the pace for safety reasons, and I wanted to use my time stuck at home to complete some projects my husband and I had been putting off. So instead of counting miles, I decided to count effort. And let me tell you, I enjoyed myself so much that I'll be doing more hiking and winter walking this winter. 

I not only hiked all the hills in my neighborhood numerous times over the weekend, but joined my husband on the trails for some swift winter walking and some serious observation of nature. I didn't go out for a set amount of miles but for a set time of two hours. And time well spent!

That being said, let's look at some of the benefits of winter walking and hiking and why you should make it part of your seasonal routine:

Boost Your Cardiovascular Health
The crisp air and colder temperatures encourage your heart to work more efficiently, improving circulation and building endurance. A brisk walk in winter is a heart-healthy way to stay active.

Strengthen Muscles and Joints
Snowy or uneven terrain activates stabilizer muscles that don’t get much use on flat surfaces, improving balance and joint strength. As we age, staying active and mobile is essential for long-term health, and winter walking is a perfect way to do that.

Boost Your Immune System
Exposure to colder weather can stimulate your immune system, helping you stay strong against seasonal illnesses. It’s like a natural, refreshing workout for your body’s defenses.

Burn More Calories
Winter walking generally burns more calories than summer walking because the body works harder to maintain its core temperature in cold weather, a process known as thermogenesis. Shivering, added clothing weight, and walking in snow increase energy expenditure, with studies suggesting potential increases of up to 34% more calories burned in colder conditions.

Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Short winter days can leave us feeling low, but natural light—even on cloudy days—helps boost serotonin and energy levels. Getting outdoors for a walk can be one of the most effective ways to counteract the winter blues.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety
There’s something undeniably calming about a quiet winter landscape. The crunch of snow underfoot, the sight of frosty trees, or the sparkle of sunlight on ice can be a balm for the soul, helping to ease stress and anxiety.

Boost Endorphins and Mood
A walk in the brisk winter air triggers the release of “feel-good” hormones, leaving you energized and uplifted. I have never not felt better after getting outside to move in the winter. It's good for the mind, body, and spirit. 

See Fewer People
Far fewer people hike in winter. That means far less crowds, and tons more solitude. This may not seem like a perk, but if you're constantly surrounded by people, solitude can be a priceless gift. 

Enjoy Incredible Scenery

The trail is so different when the ice and snow hits. On a winter hike, you’ll see things so differently. Check out the photo above of one of my favorite trails that runs adjacent to the Roubidoux River. The sub-zero temps created a unique view only seen this time of year. It makes getting outside so worth it!

See Winter-Only Views
Some views only open up in winter when the leaves are off the trees. One of the greatest benefits of winter hiking is that the number of peekaboo views and fresh angles on beloved scenes goes through the roof.

Learn the Thousand Forms of Ice
Frozen water has so many forms, you don’t even know. Icicles are just the beginning. 

Give Your Knees a Break
When the trail is covered in ice and snow, all those lump rocks are covered too — which means much less foot-pounding and ankle twisting. (Just make sure you have excellent traction.)

Give Your Ears a Treat
You don’t know the meaning of quiet until you’ve heard the quiet of a tree covered trail after snowfall. It’s as close to absolute silence as you can get outside of a lab or library. And it's a beautiful sound!! 

Alter Your Perception of Winter
Winter may not ever be your favorite season, but you don't have to hate it. Having the right gear makes all the difference! Do your research and invest in some key items that will ensure you're able to get outside when the mercury drops and snow descends upon us again. After all, we have two more months of this. 

Rise to The Challenge
There’s no question that winter hiking and walking is way more challenging than summer hiking and walking — and if you think that’s a benefit, you’re right! It not only helps you gain grit but it gives you Rockstar status in the eyes of those people who secretly wish they had the motivation to get outside and brave the elements. And who knows? By rising to the challenge, you just might inspire others to meet you out on the snow packed streets and trails.

And there you have it friends. Winter is a special time of year to get outside for so many reasons--reasons you can't understand until you experience them. So, bundle up and enjoy the season. You'll be so happy you did! 

Happy Running! and walking and hiking!

Sin Damages the Heart

"And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?'" Mark 8:17-21 ESV

In a story titled "Does running marathons damage your heart? This decade-long study has the answers" published by Runner's World over the weekend, it was reported that Researchers tracked recreational marathon runners for 10 years to explore whether long term endurance training causes lasting changes to heart function.

Interestingly enough, "this study looked at long term changes in ventricular function in recreational marathon runners. To be even more accurate, the study zeroed in on whether marathon-induced troponin T release (a protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells are damaged or injured) was associated with long-term right ventricular remodelling after 10 years of repetitive endurance exercise. Why is that important? The right ventricle is not only responsible for sending deoxygenated blood to the lungs to be replenished, but is more sensitive to structural change when under load when compared to the left."

In the study, 152 male runners were assessed pre-race, immediately after the race, on days one and three post-race, and at a 10-year follow-up. Cardiac biomarkers, like troponin T release, were recorded.

The results showed that marathon-induced acute troponin T increase was not associated with a change in right ventricular ejection fraction (the percentage of blood pumped out of the right ventricle with each beat) after 10 years of endurance training and competition. There were changes to the left ventricle over the 10 year period, but these remained within normal limits.

So, this data suggests that repetitive and strenuous exercise training and endurance competitions did not induce long-term deterioration of right ventricular function in most recreational male endurance athletes.

In conclusion, the writer said, "This is good news, but it is a small sample set. If you ever have any worries or concerns about your heart health, speak to your GP."

And while we would all do well to monitor the condition of our physical hearts, the condition of our spiritual hearts warrants even more careful and consistent introspection. You see, sin can quickly harden our hearts if left unchecked (even briefly), because it has a cumulative effect. Which means over time, it can cause lasting negative changes. 

To understand why that matters, consider that the biblical heart is not merely a physical organ or seat of emotions, but the central "control center" of a person's inner life, encompassing their mind, will, and emotions. It represents the core of human personality, motivation, and spiritual character, acting as the source of our thoughts, decisions, and intentions. 

"Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread." Mark 8:14-16

It's easy to see then how a hardened heart could be deadly because a heart that's lost its sensitivity dulls a person’s ability to perceive and understand--something that can happen to even the most faithful Christians. This was something Jesus pointed out to the disciples when they became concerned with their meager bread supply. From their discussion over having "no bread,"  it was clear that each of them had forgotten how Jesus had just fed thousands with only a few loaves.

Hence the reason Jesus said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve." 

Jesus went on to question them, thus further showing the hardness of their hearts, saying, "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?" By these questions, Jesus spelled out for us the characteristics of this spiritual heart condition as an inability to see, understand, hear, and remember--a condition that can overtake the Christian very quickly. 

So knowing that it doesn't take long for us to forget the many ways Jesus can and does provide for our needs (after all distraction and forgetfulness are some of the enemy's greatest tactics), make it a point to check your heart often my friend by remembering all the ways God has been faithful to you in the past. 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

And then choose to recollect daily and recall repeatedly that the love of the Lord NEVER ceases and his mercies NEVER come to an end. They are new EVERY morning and God's faithfulness is GREAT enough to meet all of your needs and mine. Causing your heart to meditate on these truths will keep it soft so that you can see, understand, hear, and remember. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that when we forget your past provisions, we fret and worry about your future ones. Help us to recall all the ways that You provide for us Lord so that we would keep our hearts sensitive to the Holy Spirit that we would be able to see things as they truly are. Help us to keep our hearts and minds set on You at all times Lord. Point out any area in our lives where we are failing to do this Lord that we might repent and get back on track. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Put in the Work to Remain Pure

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

In a story titled "American 800m runner smashes indoor world record" published by Canadian Running over the weekend, it was reported that Josh Hoey broke a world record that has stood since 1997. 

On Saturday afternoon at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, the American lowered Kipketer’s legendary mark by more than a tenth of a second, breaking the tape in a time of 1:42:50 for a new world record.

When the 26-year-old American crossed the finish line, he initially thought he had missed the mark. It wasn’t until Hoey saw his time appear on the official clock that he knew he had smashed Kipketer’s record.

Hoey’s historic performance came seven weeks after he set a world indoor 600m best, also in Boston. For both records, Hoey was paced by his brothers Jaxson and Jonah.

In a post-race interview with Canadian Running, Hoey called the family moment “special...”

The indoor 800m world record wasn’t the only mark to fall at The TRACK at New Balance. American distance runner Hobbs Kessler broke the great Kenenisa Bekele’s indoor 2,000m world best of 4:49.99 by more than a second. The 2026 meet marked the first time two world records were set since the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix moved to this state-of-the-art venue in 2023. 

Wow, right? It goes without saying that these two record-breaking runners put in years of hard work to smash these records. After all, the process of becoming a world-renowned runner doesn't happen overnight nor does it happen without putting in consistent effort and putting aside anything that would deter them from reaching their goal. 

This same principle is true in our spiritual lives as well. You see, all those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ (that's us!), thereby gaining the awesome privilege of becoming a child of God, are called to live as Jesus did. That means we are to continually be in the process of growing in our walk with God so that we resemble Him more and more (in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions) each and every day. After all, sons and daughters are to look like their Father right?

And while this might seem like a huge undertaking, when we truly understand the "great love the Father has lavished on us," this becomes something we not only want to do, but something we take pleasure in doing. When we fully grasp it, we will want to please the Father so much that we voluntarily do what it takes to purify ourselves, "just as he is pure” to reach our goal of being "like him." 

"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." 1 Timothy 5:22

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22

To be spiritually pure then, we must put in the consistent effort and work it takes to be morally clean and completely unadulterated. Which means we must not "share in the sins of others." We must repent of any current sins and encompass a whole-hearted devotion to God. We must cultivate a transformed mind that's stayed on Him and reflects His character. And then we must completely obey the truth so that we have a sincere and deep love for our brothers and sisters that comes from a changed heart that's focused on serving others rather than being served. 

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:29

 So, remember that the Christian race is not a sprint, but a lifelong process of becoming more and more like Jesus my friend. Therefore, train with intention each and every day by getting in the Word, taking time to pray, and asking the Holy Spirit to help you live it out. This is the only way to ensure that you'll finish the race and hit the mark. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that becoming like You is a process that will not end until Christ appears. Help us to understand how much You love us so that we would live to make You proud. Give us the strength to train in the Word as we should and to do the work it takes to purify ourselves just as You are pure. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

God Receives the Forsaken

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” Psalm 27:10 NIV

In a follow-up to a story (about a Hong Kong man attempting to run a marathon with a baby strapped to his chest-something that could cause serious harm to the child) that went viral over the weekend, the following was reported yesterday:

Hong Kong police said Wednesday (Jan 21) that they were investigating report of suspected child abuse after a man took part in the city's annual marathon with a baby strapped to his chest.

Video footage of a man running with his race bib and number pinned onto the baby's pink clothes during the race went viral on social media.

"The case was referred to the Child Abuse Investigation Unit," Hong Kong police said Wednesday, adding that they had received a report one day after Sunday's event.

No arrests have been made so far, police said.
The South China Morning Post reported that police had contacted a man from China's southwestern Guangxi province for further investigation.

The Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) said the man did not finish the race, with local media reporting he was asked to stop running and told to leave the course. - AFP

And while it’s hard to fathom why a father would put his child at risk to achieve his own goals, we know that this type of behavior is neither new nor uncommon. Abuse of children has been happening since the time sin came into this world. 

And of course we know that child abuse can come in many forms—including neglect, physical harm, harsh words, undue and strict punishment, and even abandonment, just to name a few. Regardless of the form it takes though, abuse of a child can have lasting effects for the one that was abused and for generations to come. 

To see why the problem extends beyond what we can see, consider that the latest statistics say that “More than 550,000 children are known to U.S. authorities to be abused. An estimated 558,899 children (unique incidents) were victims of abuse and neglect in the U.S. in 2022, the most recent year for which there is national data. That’s 8 children out of every thousand.” Sadly though, we know that number is much higher since the majority of cases of abuse go unreported.

But there is hope, thankfully, for all those who have been abused, abandoned, and mistreated by a parent or both parents. And that hope is found in the Lord, the One who personally receives or gathers to Himself all those who have been forsaken by their father and mother as David wrote in Psalm 27.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalm 68:5-6

Now we aren’t to glean from this that David's father and mother had forsaken him as they were probably dead at the time of his flight from Absalom. What David meant is that, even if we are forsaken by those nearest and dearest (as he was by his own son), the Lord would never leave us nor forsake us. The expression is proverbial and confirms God’s promise to be with us wherever we go. 

Furthermore, He is a “father to the fatherless” and “God sets the lonely in families” through the bonds of our church family. These bonds, which are formed by a mutual love of Jesus Christ, can be much stronger than those formed by blood. These bonds fill the voids created by abusive and absent parents. That’s the power of being in the family of God. They are the relatives God gives us so that we are never alone. 

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—“ John 1:12

So, if you’re suffering from loneliness, pain, or hurt because of an abusive or absent parent today, take heart my friend. You’re not alone and you don’t have to suffer anymore. If you choose to follow Jesus, you instantly join the ranks of those who have been given “the right to be called children of God” and you now have a family and a Heavenly Father who will love you more than you could ask for or even imagine.

Heavenly Father, thank you for promising to never leave us or forsake us. Help us to understand that abuse is never our fault no matter what we've been told. Help us to forgive those who have harmed us Lord that we might go on to live lives that show the healing power of Jesus Christ and the supernatural love that the children of God share with one another. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Let Go and Move Forward

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV

In a story titled “I Compared Myself to the Runner I Used to Be—I’m Learning to Let Go and Move Forward” published by Runner's World yesterday, Cindy Kuzma said, “In November 2025, I crossed the finish line of the Scottsdale Every Woman’s Marathon, and took a breath before looking at my watch. When I finally peered down, the time I saw was more than 30 minutes behind what I’d run for a marathon the year prior. In fact, it was the second-slowest of my 24 marathons.”

 
She went on to say, “Objectively, I knew there were plenty of good reasons for this. A summer injury interrupted my training, and, while I was able to safely build back up to cover the distance using walk intervals, I came in slower than I had originally anticipated. My first emotion upon finishing was gratitude for the experience and for finishing healthy, but seeing the cold, hard numbers—not to mention the race photos—stirred up other feelings, too.

I’m a masters athlete now, and, even if I’d had the perfect training block, I’d be nowhere near my personal best, 3:21:02 at the 2009 Chicago Marathon. Not only are my times slower, but my shorts and tank are a couple of sizes larger than they used to be.

I’ve tried, for years, not to compare myself to others, whether it’s athletes I know in real life or those whose highlights pop up in my social media feeds. As runners, we often focus on numbers, and our culture prizes looks, so it’s tough to keep that noise at bay. Now, I have a new runner I can’t quite measure up to: My younger self.”

After lamenting over the way her running has changed (titling the description ‘The Plight of the Aging Athlete’) as she’s gotten older, Cindy detailed how other masters runners (those over 40) and sport psychology experts showed her “how to fight for my future instead of my past.” This allowed her to avoid looking back at the runner she once was and focus on the runner she is now and, more importantly, the runner she wants to be in the future.

 
And, you know, as this story clearly illustrates, time stands still for no one. Every person will eventually age and will be faced with physical limitations. Thankfully, the very opposite is true in our spiritual lives because, although we mature in our relationship with Christ, we don’t have to slow down. In fact, according to Paul we should be picking up speed as we get closer and closer to our final finish line! 

This is something we do by refusing to look back at who we once were, and looking forward to what lies ahead—something Paul explained when he said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

Because Paul realized that he had not arrived, there was only one option open for him. He had to press on. Just as we have to.

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:62

We, like Paul must put our hand to the plow and refuse to look back. We must press on with all our physical strength and mental fortitude to do God’s will and not our own. Which means we are to be so focused on running the race for God’s glory that we don’t allow those things which are behind us (our past) to distract us, whether they be good things or bad things. We must let go of past glories or regrets and strain forward for spiritual perfection, not self-reliance. And we must focus on today's work (thereby putting our hand to the plow) and "to those things which are ahead" that we might be found "fit for the kingdom of God."

So, choose to let the past go and move forward my friend. Refuse to look back at past failures, disappointments, sins, or even past achievements so that you can strain forward like an athlete focused on winning the race. It won't be easy but it will be worth it!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that as new creations in You, we are not to let our past dictate our future. Help us to let go of and forget anything that's holding us back from serving You as we should, that we might press on toward the goal of being a fit co-laborer with Christ. Remind us Lord that we are running this race for You and not ourselves. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!