Don't limit yourself

"Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12 BSB

If you thought you did a lot of running last weekend, you've got nothing on British runner John Stocker. Over the course of 81 hours at the Suffolk Backyard Ultra Event, this runner from Oxfordshire ran more than 337 miles and broke the Backyard Ultra record. To put into perspective what that entailed, consider that runners taking part had to complete a 4.167 mile lap of Suffolk’s Knettishall Heath every hour until they couldn't carry on any longer. They had to arrive back to the start in time for the next loop or were eliminated. This went on until there was only one person left running--in this case, John Stocker who was crowned the winner. Race director Lindley Chambers told the BBC: “What these guys have achieved is pretty incredible.' He added: 'I knew we had the calibre of people taking part and I personally thought we'd do 50 or 60 loops but these guys have gone beyond my expectation and have gone further than anyone else in the world competing in this format.’” The appeal these types of races have was summed up back in April when American runner Courtney Dauwalter also spoke to the BBC, 'It’s a fun mental challenge,' she said, adding that backyard ultras are about 'finding out what’s possible rather than a race that you want to win. If we don’t limit ourselves, it’s pretty cool what can happen.'

And you know, when it comes to limits, Jesus made it clear that we should place none on ourselves when He said, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these... " Now Jesus wasn't saying that the disciples would be able to do more amazing miracles than He had done (after all, you can't top raising people from the dead) but that they would have limitless power through the Holy Spirit to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And get this... this is the very same power that you and I, as those "whoever's" who believe, have within us now to continue the work of sharing the Good News--work that is hindered when we limit ourselves. 

So refuse to place limits on yourself my friend by remembering that you serve a limitless God; a God that can empower us to do more than we could ever think, believe or imagine. And then dare to do big things in the name of Jesus so that others might come to know Him because of it. After all, we truly are limitless when we are working in the power of His strength. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the strength to do everything that You have called us to do. Cause us to remember that the Great Commission commands us to go out and make disciples of all nations and that You will give us the power to do that very thing. Cause us to be bold, brave, daring and willing to go wherever You call us at a moment's notice, totally confident that You will give us the strength, power, and protection we need. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Limitless