"You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me." Psalm 139:5
Jessica Hay knew she needed to make a change. At 436 pounds, this 34-year-old mother of two from Melbourne, Australia, said she didn't have the energy to be the wife and mother she wanted to be. And while she thought about attempting to complete the Highlands Parkrun 5k for many months, it wasn't until she mentioned it on Instagram and was embraced by runners from all over the world that she found the courage to do it. Jessica has now participated in 16 Parkruns and, while she started out as a walker, has worked up to being able to run part of the way and has a goal to one day run a marathon. This woman who was once too scared to get out and exercise, now urges others to be brave, saying, "The running community has my back and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of it."
Isn't it amazing the things we can accomplish when we find the courage to simply try? Jessica found the strength to attempt the impossible because she felt safe within the running community that embraced and surrounded her. And you know, the Bible tells us that you and I can be brave and courageous too because we are safe within God's presence. You see, the verb 'to hem' means to surround or enclose somebody or something-so when the Bible tells us that God has hemmed us in "behind and before", it means that he is, literally, surrounding us in every situation and in every trial.
So you see, there is absolutely no place we can go that he won't follow us and nothing we can attempt that he won't go before us. With that knowledge, what will you attempt today?
So you see, there is absolutely no place we can go that he won't follow us and nothing we can attempt that he won't go before us. With that knowledge, what will you attempt today?
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that you are always with us, hemming us in under your protection. Help us to have the courage then to step out and do those things we feel led to do and to be an example of faith to others. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
You make me brave - Bethel Music
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