In a story titled “70 ultramarathon runners evacuated after being stranded by heavy rain: Officials” published over the weekend, it was reported that 70 runners and volunteers participating in Utah's Moab 240 ultramarathon were evacuated from the rugged outdoor race course on Sunday after being stranded overnight by a heavy rainstorm that hit the area.
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office said on Sunday that it coordinated with race organizers to assist the stranded runners, who had been unable to safely leave the affected areas.
Destination Trail, which organizes and manages the race, said in an update on Sunday afternoon that buses were evacuating the final group of affected participants, who were stuck at an aid station near the Bridger Jack Mesa in the Bear Ears National Monument.
To understand why this was such a huge disappointment to the runners, consider that the entry fee alone was over $2,000 and that the runners who participated trained for months or even years to be there—some who would never get another chance to attempt such a monumental goal. And while the organizers were going to issue a refund for their entry fees, the runners would not be reimbursed for travel and training expenses, which you can be sure were at least as much as the entry fee.
"We know this isn't how anyone hoped Moab 240 would go," Destination Trail said in a social media post to the stranded participants. "So many of you trained for months and traveled a long way to be here, and we're truly sorry the race ended this way. Sometimes the weather has other plans, and when it does, everyone’s safety has to come first."
And, you know, as this story illustrates, there will be times in every persons life when things won’t go as they had hoped or planned; no matter how meticulous the planning was.
These are the times when we, as believers, have two choices. We can either cry and complain over the uncontrollable change in our situation, thereby denying that God is sovereign over our steps, or we can look up and say, “Okay Lord, my plan didn’t go as I planned, so I will trust that your plan is better than mine.”
The latter response, which is the only fitting one for a Christian, not only acknowledges our understanding that “the Lord directs” our steps, but affirms our belief that His direction is always better than what our hearts planned.
You see, this verse reminds us that when our personal plans fail or unexpectedly shift, God could very well be at work steering those steps toward a higher purpose and a greater ultimate outcome.
Which is the very reason we must trust God completely so we don’t miss that purpose, especially when we don't understand what He is doing or where He is leading us.
Furthermore, consider this… when we trust Him completely and yield fully when things don’t go as we hoped or planned, we can react to life’s changes in a way (with joy and anticipation) that’s so contrary to the world that people will take notice.
So, choose to view the disruptions of life as divine redirections my friend. And when things don’t go the way you hoped or planned, look up and say, “Lord, I trust You with all my heart. I willingly and joyfully surrender to your redirection. Lead me along the path You have laid out for me.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for being sovereign over our footsteps. Help us to trust You when our plans go awry and our dreams are dashed. Help us to follow the path You have for us rather than focusing on the one that was closed off, knowing that Your ways are higher ans better than ours. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
"We know this isn't how anyone hoped Moab 240 would go," Destination Trail said in a social media post to the stranded participants. "So many of you trained for months and traveled a long way to be here, and we're truly sorry the race ended this way. Sometimes the weather has other plans, and when it does, everyone’s safety has to come first."
And, you know, as this story illustrates, there will be times in every persons life when things won’t go as they had hoped or planned; no matter how meticulous the planning was.
These are the times when we, as believers, have two choices. We can either cry and complain over the uncontrollable change in our situation, thereby denying that God is sovereign over our steps, or we can look up and say, “Okay Lord, my plan didn’t go as I planned, so I will trust that your plan is better than mine.”
The latter response, which is the only fitting one for a Christian, not only acknowledges our understanding that “the Lord directs” our steps, but affirms our belief that His direction is always better than what our hearts planned.
You see, this verse reminds us that when our personal plans fail or unexpectedly shift, God could very well be at work steering those steps toward a higher purpose and a greater ultimate outcome.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Which is the very reason we must trust God completely so we don’t miss that purpose, especially when we don't understand what He is doing or where He is leading us.
Furthermore, consider this… when we trust Him completely and yield fully when things don’t go as we hoped or planned, we can react to life’s changes in a way (with joy and anticipation) that’s so contrary to the world that people will take notice.
So, choose to view the disruptions of life as divine redirections my friend. And when things don’t go the way you hoped or planned, look up and say, “Lord, I trust You with all my heart. I willingly and joyfully surrender to your redirection. Lead me along the path You have laid out for me.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for being sovereign over our footsteps. Help us to trust You when our plans go awry and our dreams are dashed. Help us to follow the path You have for us rather than focusing on the one that was closed off, knowing that Your ways are higher ans better than ours. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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