Run the Race

I'm starting to run again. If I'm here in April (I hope I'm in Brazil by then!), then I want to run the 10-mile Pear Blossom. In my seemingly long hiatus from running, I had forgotten all of the Biblical truths that come alive when my feet hit the pavement. Truths about running the race with endurance, about running to win a prize (Jesus), about straining for what's ahead and not looking back.

The other morning I was running towards the rising sun, fog lifting off the mountains, dew resting on the pastures. That is how this life is. As we run towards the Son of God, the fog slowly lifts from around us, and we begin to see clearly. We begin to see things as they truly are. We remember that each person is an eternal being, created to know and glorify his or her maker. And oh how it made me long for Heaven. I pray that each of us will remember this as we go about our day to day lives. Remember that each person we encounter is someone the Lord is longing to be with. And perhaps the Lord has made our paths cross in order to use us as arrows that point to Him.

Almost half-way there!

I have about 40-percent of my total funds raised. The month of February is almost completely dedicated to meeting with people and sharing my heart with those I can convince to listen :). Last night I had dinner with my first grade teacher and her husband - it was such an encouragement. They are both so mission-minded and have been through this process before, so it was so neat to talk with them. And she has been praying for me since I was in her first grade class - how amazing is that!

Tonight I will be sharing at Ashland Christian Fellowship. Please pray that the Lord will speak through me. The Lord is my Provider - He's the one that's going to make this happen. One part of me thinks - "Wow, 40 percent already!" But another part thinks, "How will the other 60-percent ever come in by the end of this month?" But God knows. His timing is perfect. I heard an old Caedmon's Call song yesterday that talked about how the Lord doesn't plan the end without planning the means. And so, this is where the Lord has me. This is the ministry He has called me to for the time being. Please pray that I will not become self-reliant and think that any of this is happening because of me!

I covet your prayers.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.