Running...

Running. I suppose you might be thinking, well here we go a post about running… And I'll talk to you about the health benefits and whatnot of running. I do enjoy running and perhaps I could tell you how great it feels to pull on my comfy sneakers, and hit the road. As my feet pound the pavement the thoughts and worries of the world slip away and I fall into a world of running… Where my mind is clearing and my soul is rejoicing in being in the great outdoors, but that is not the running I am intending to speak about today.

This morning I want to talk about running scared. We all have those times in our lives when the world crowds in. We all have those people or situations that seem like giants in our lives. You know what I mean, I'm sure you're thinking of your own situations right now. Well I am no stranger to giants. They come in all shapes and sizes, some are very familiar, and some are complete strangers to me. But nonetheless they appear… Sometimes as if out of nowhere! A perfectly happy day can be turned upside down as one of my giants approaches. You know, you've been there! When the only thing your body screams to do is run! Run! Run! And yet somewhere deep there is that still quiet voice that whispers stand firm! 

Remember David? The shepherd boy whom God used to do amazing things. I imagine David might have at one moment in his life had the urge to run. I can't imagine what would've happened if he had. Boy the stories have been different if David ran when he saw the lion, ran when he saw the bear… Or could you even imagine, what if he ran when he faced Goliath? 

Imagine Goliath standing there taunting David, taunting David's family, taunting David's nation. David could've turn tail and run, but he didn't. He did exactly what he was meant to do and that was to let God use him. No matter what the enemy was yelling, no matter what that giant would throw at him, David allowed God to use him in a way that showed how powerful our God really is. When David stooped to pick up those five stones he did so with the intent of killing Goliath. He intended to face his giant head on and he intended to win! 

In David's case it was a literal giant, but you and I each have our own giants. But there is no giant that can stand up to the power of God. So when I allow God to be manifest in me in such a way that it is him who is doing my fighting, then I become the victor! I am a winner when I choose to let God battle for me! We will always have giants in our lives, and we will always have battles to fight! But with God on our side we stand strong.

So the next time I am faced with an impossible situation, and the giants of my life come creeping in, I will not be putting on my running shoes. I will stand strong knowing that the Spirit of God that lives within me will give me the strength needed to fight my situation! I will pray that God gives me the words and the weapons to come out the victor!! I'll save my running for my victory lap!