I knew before the start of Saturday’s Honoring Our Heroes Marathon that the race would probably get tough. With unusually high temperatures predicted for the day (76 which would feel as much as 20 degrees higher for the runners), I was praying for cloud cover. Unfortunately, the skies remained clear and sunny and the actual high reached 81 degrees.
With that being said, I started the race off with a smile on my face and hoped for the best. As the humidity crept up (something not expected for November), it wasn’t surprising to see a good number of runners slowing down at the 16 mile point. One of those runners was my dear friend and sister in Christ, Shannon, who had made the drive from Kansas City to run the 26.2 mile race. I hadn’t been too far behind her when I saw her walking.
“Can you believe this heat?” I asked her as I approached shaking my head. “This is crazy,” she answered back and then added, “I’m really feeling nauseous and having a lot of cramping. I’m not sure if it’s the heat causing it or what.” At that point I knew we needed to stay together for the mutual encouragement we could provide one another.
For the next four miles, Shannon and I did run/walk intervals alongside one another—sometimes in complete silence and other times listening to worship music or quoting scripture in an effort to stay focused on the mile ahead rather than our heat-related fatigue and Shannon’s queasiness. We were determined to do what we needed to do to finish the race together and give God all the glory. At mile 20, when the nausea became worse, my dear friend and I decided to walk the remaining miles as quickly as we could. And sure enough that decision paid off for both of us. Together we made it to the finish line and were rewarded with a medal for our efforts.
Later that night, Shannon sent me a text that said, "You helped me so much today... Thank you for believing in me. For staying with me when I was struggling... I know it's a reflection of Jesus's love for us. And it just makes me want to know Him all the more." My reply? "God is so good! He gave us the mutual encouragement we both needed!"
"Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'" John 20:21
"These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them." Mark 6:8-13
And, you know, this mutual encouragement is one of the reasons Jesus sent the disciples out "two by two." He was sending them out to do the same things that He did: preach, heal the sick, and free people from demonic possession. And Jesus knew this mission would not be an easy one. After all, they were called to bring a message that would convict the lost of their need to turn from their wicked ways and turn to Jesus. This alone would be a hard job! Furthermore, it was clear by Jesus statement "if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave the place and shake the dust off our feet," that they would face opposition in fulfilling their calling as well. This race would not be easy!
But the disciples were obedient and "they went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them." No doubt, the days were long, the work was hard, and they felt the heat of the trials and troubles that come along with serving God. But, with a friend at their side, I'm sure they mutually encouraged one another with psalms, songs, and reminders that what they were doing was both rewarding and would be rewarded. This is what good, godly friends do! They come alongside you and spur you to stay in the race and keep running until you reach the finish line.
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we need to surround ourselves with good and godly friends who love You and are on fire for You that we might mutually encourage one another when that fire dims a bit. Help us to be those friends that exhort and uplift Lord that the world might come to know Jesus by our example since He gave us the ultimate example of friendship to follow. Help us to help others make it to the finish line Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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