Be patient and trust His timing

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you," 1 Peter 5:6 KJV

As both a running coach and a runner, I have not only encountered multiple injuries myself but know that it's just a matter of time before every runner will encounter them as well, especially new runners. Why? Because new runners typically lack patience and run too far, too quickly; something I thought about as I read an article posted recently about patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), commonly known as “runner’s knee." “It is an overuse injury with pain typically around or behind the kneecap,” explains Michael Swartzon, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, part of Baptist Health. “It represents 20 to 40 percent of all knee problems and the most common running injury presenting to a sports medicine clinic. Usually, an increase in frequency type or intensity of activity can lead to this problem. This is the No. 1 presenting complaint to a running clinic and also of the No. 1 cause of loss time and basic training for military recruits."  When asked the best way to prevent PFPS, Dr. Swartzon said, “Since this is an overuse injury, the best prevention is a slow progression when starting a new activity.”

And you know, this slow progression to avoid hurt or pain is something Peter warned believers about when he told them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God so that “at the proper time,” He would exalt them. You see, only God knows when you and I are ready to be exalted, or placed in a higher level of ministry, because only He knows when our hearts are fully surrendered to His will and not our own. But so many Christians take it upon themselves to jump into a position of high regard when they aren’t ready, which can have disastrous consequences within the church. Just take a look at the many pastors and teachers throughout time who quickly obtained high-profile positions or ministries. A great majority of them fell prey to sin, false doctrine or simply burnt out because they just weren’t ready for the position they thrust themselves into. 

So take it from someone who, looking back, is ever so thankful for waiting on God’s timing. As much as I wanted to jump into a leadership role in ministry when I was a new Christian so many years ago, I realize now that it would not have ended well. It takes time to grow and mature as a runner and it takes even more time to grow and mature as a follower of Jesus Christ. So be patient friends. Keep training in the Word and trust the Lord to lift you up “at the proper time.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that your timing is always perfect. Help us to be patient as You prepare and train us to serve to the best of our ability Lord and remind us that we must wait for You to lift us up because only You know when the proper time for that is. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!