“Yesterday’s race was the most technical race I have done so far. Lots of climbing, almost 6,000 feet, tons of roots and rocks. I had one good fall, but nothing major. But I’m now the proud owner of my 5th DNF at 50 miles and a beautiful medal. I’m not upset at all. The last time I was on a trail like this was a few years ago when I was injured at Possums Revenge. I do know I could have gone the full distance, it was just a timing issue and that definitely makes me happy that my training was better than I thought. I think I’m still a bit scared of serious falls and it’s something I’m working on…”
These were some of the words written by my dear friend and sister in Christ, Pamela, after having to bow out of a 100 mile race midway over the weekend. Now while many people might have gotten upset about this turn of events, Pamela chose to embrace the disruption in her plans. In fact, her reaction was so contrary to the way the majority of the world would react that I said this is the comments, “I love your attitude about the DNF. I’ve had my fair share of them, and I know that they always teach me something. Congrats on a good run!”
Pamela's response? "It was something else for sure. I feel like I have grown so much since I started running ultras 9 years ago. I think you work harder when you are fighting a DNF than when you actually finish a race." To which I replied, " I could not agree with you more. There’s so many emotions that go along with it. But I know one thing is certain. People are more prone to follow us when they see the way we handle our DNF then they ever do by the way we handle our victories." Pamela agreed and said that she had been praying the whole time.
Later, when I reached out to her to learn more about her experience of the DNF (Did Not Finish), she said, "As of late my new prayer everyday has been 'Lord open my spiritual eyes, my ears, and Lord Your will be done and not mine'. I say this everyday before I start my prayers for other people... On my way up to the race we were talking and He knew I wanted to spend more time with Him while I was racing." She went on to detail just how that prayer was answered and how the answering of that prayer revealed the answering of some other prayers, which caused her to say, "Our Lord is so amazing!! He brings tears to my eyes just typing this. And that’s what makes this DNF special. He has shown me so much and I just can’t be unhappy about it. I love Him so much."
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people," Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Which is the very reason Paul, himself, was not upset at the change of circumstances that had led to his house arrest in Rome. Not only did the redirection allow him the time to write the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon but Paul wanted it made known “that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Paul was not only NOT unhappy about living in a rented house for two years while awaiting trial before Caesar Nero (after appealing his case to Rome to avoid a conspiracy against his life by Jewish leaders in Jerusalem), Paul proudly owned his chains!
Why? Because he could see through his spiritual eyes that God‘s hand was all over it and that his chains were actually serving to further the gospel! You see, this imprisonment allowed Paul to preach to people (his captors) who would never have heard the Good News otherwise.
Furthermore, this ‘setback’ gave him the opportunity to write the “prison epistles” that literally changed the world. The overwhelming joy and unwavering faith Paul showed, despite his “failure,” helped other believers grow in boldness to speak about Christ and spread the gospel despite their own failures! Pretty awesome, right?
This is the very reason that every believer must pray, “Lord, enlighten the eyes of my heart…” each and every day. But let us not stop there. Let us then pray for the boldness to step out and do whatever it is God is calling us to do, no matter how hard or how crazy it might sound, knowing that our success is not measured by achieving our will but by doing His will.
So, don’t get upset or frazzled when things don’t go your way my friend. Look up instead and say, “Lord, open the eyes of my heart and help me to be a willing vessel to be used in whatever way You see fit to further the gospel.”
Heavenly Father, thank You using ordinary people to further the Gospel who simply pray to be used. Cause us to pray every day to see things through a spiritual lens that we might not get frustrated by the detours and disappointments of the world but trust they are a part of Your plan to advance the gospel. Help us to remain joyful in all situations, whether we cross the finish line or we don’t, that others might see that our joy is not found in worldly accomplishments but found in fulfilling your will. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus amen.
Furthermore, this ‘setback’ gave him the opportunity to write the “prison epistles” that literally changed the world. The overwhelming joy and unwavering faith Paul showed, despite his “failure,” helped other believers grow in boldness to speak about Christ and spread the gospel despite their own failures! Pretty awesome, right?
This is the very reason that every believer must pray, “Lord, enlighten the eyes of my heart…” each and every day. But let us not stop there. Let us then pray for the boldness to step out and do whatever it is God is calling us to do, no matter how hard or how crazy it might sound, knowing that our success is not measured by achieving our will but by doing His will.
So, don’t get upset or frazzled when things don’t go your way my friend. Look up instead and say, “Lord, open the eyes of my heart and help me to be a willing vessel to be used in whatever way You see fit to further the gospel.”
Heavenly Father, thank You using ordinary people to further the Gospel who simply pray to be used. Cause us to pray every day to see things through a spiritual lens that we might not get frustrated by the detours and disappointments of the world but trust they are a part of Your plan to advance the gospel. Help us to remain joyful in all situations, whether we cross the finish line or we don’t, that others might see that our joy is not found in worldly accomplishments but found in fulfilling your will. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus amen.
Happy Running!