Upon being startled by the sound of a slamming porta-john door just hours before dawn early yesterday (which clearly indicated that a runner had come into the main aid station area I was manning), I struggled to open my eyes and had to forcefully will myself to rouse from the slumber I had fallen into (as had the other volunteers working with me). Despite my best attempts at staying awake so I could, as the Race Director of the Bad Dawg Ultra (a 36 hour ultra marathon event), make sure all the participants were safe and things were running (no pun intended) as they should, I had fallen asleep in the less-than-comfortable chair I was sitting in when the runners had become fewer and the traffic flow become lighter. But such is the human condition right? Despite our greatest efforts and most godly of intentions, we can neither control our need for rest nor most of the things that happen around us. After all, we are limited by our flesh--which demands that we sleep often and dictates that we can only be in one place at a time.
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10 NIV
And, you know, while the thought of this lack of control might cause a person to have anxiety, those who trust in God should be in perfect peace at all times... even in the wee hours of the morning. Why? Because the Bible is clear that the One "who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps." That means, unlike humans who need rest, God is always aware and always active in His care for us. And unlike humans who are limited to being in only on place at a time, the Father is omnipresent (which means that God is present everywhere, at all times, and in all places). This was something David clearly understood when he asked the questions, "Where can I go from your Spirit?" and "Where can I flee from your presence?" And of course the answer is nowhere. God is everywhere, God is at all times, and God is in all places.
Which was the very reason I could smile after my eyes were opened and I finally came to my senses yesterday morning. "Melissa," I said to myself. "You might have fallen asleep. But God didn't. He is in control so quiet your heart. The runners you prayed over will be safe." Can you say the same thing today, despite your circumstances, my friend? I sure hope so. But if not, remember this... the God who never slumbers or sleeps is never apart from you. So trust Him and rest.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are always with us and that You are not limited in the same ways that we are. Lord, when our hearts are anxious about things that we can't control, help us to lift up our cares to You and then to trust that You will tend to those cares so that we can slumber and sleep as our flesh needs to, that we can wake up refreshed and on fire for you each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
No comments:
Post a Comment