Recently I was reading a Guide on "Your First Full Marathon" (yes I am seriously considering doing the one in April 2009), it suggests that it is all about endurance and that preparation is key (surprise, surprise).
Near our house, there is a route comprising running on the road for a mile, followed by a path through a field for another mile and back on the road again for a third mile coming home. The final half a mile or so is uphill (hur.... hur....)!
The first few times when I did it, I had to walk the final uphill stretch. Now, after about 6 weeks, I could run (very slowly) all the way. It took about 30 minutes and by the time I got to the bathroom, I would have worked up a healthy sweat and suitably exhausted.:o)
But a full marathon is 26.2 miles. That means doing 9 times my regular distance in one go!
The Guide also suggests that the preparation means a weekly total of 65 to 80k (40 to 50 miles), and having the ability to comfortably cover 25k (15 miles) in one go! This means running two times my regular distance 7 times a week and having the ability to comfortably cover 5 times my current distance in one go!!! A looooooonnnnnnng way to get ready yet. :o)
I thank God that I am a plodder. That has been my experience walking with God. Many people would find that boring. But I am happy just making it to the finishing line. Speed to me is not that important. It is interesting to note that the shortest book in the Bible, which occurs in the centre of the Bible, says that "........the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever........". God is also a plodder when it comes to His faithfulness towards us - it ENDURES FOREVER. That is why the psalmist says "Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples...." [Ps 117:1-2 NIV].
In life, we also need to be patient in our decision making. It is our human nature to run away from difficult situations. Right now I am feeling the same with my boss at work. But when I look at Jacob, who had to work 14 years for his uncle Laban to get the woman he loved. And he had to continue to endure Laban's unfair treatment for another 6 years. My situation is nothing in comparison. And it is good to see that in God's time, "Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." [Gen 31:1-3 NIV] Jacob would only leave Laban when God says so. So be patient PK. :o)
Jesus once warned His disciples about their hearts not to be ".......weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.......Be always on the watch.......and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you be able to stand before the Son of Man." [Luke 21:29-36 NIV] The same warning applies to all believers. But praise God that we are in the Body of Christ. We have one another for encouragement and support in running the marathon.:o)
It is a huge encouragement to hear God says "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD." [Prov 8:32-36 NIV] Yes Lord, I am more than happy to wait at your doorway. :o)
Near our house, there is a route comprising running on the road for a mile, followed by a path through a field for another mile and back on the road again for a third mile coming home. The final half a mile or so is uphill (hur.... hur....)!
The first few times when I did it, I had to walk the final uphill stretch. Now, after about 6 weeks, I could run (very slowly) all the way. It took about 30 minutes and by the time I got to the bathroom, I would have worked up a healthy sweat and suitably exhausted.:o)
But a full marathon is 26.2 miles. That means doing 9 times my regular distance in one go!
The Guide also suggests that the preparation means a weekly total of 65 to 80k (40 to 50 miles), and having the ability to comfortably cover 25k (15 miles) in one go! This means running two times my regular distance 7 times a week and having the ability to comfortably cover 5 times my current distance in one go!!! A looooooonnnnnnng way to get ready yet. :o)
I thank God that I am a plodder. That has been my experience walking with God. Many people would find that boring. But I am happy just making it to the finishing line. Speed to me is not that important. It is interesting to note that the shortest book in the Bible, which occurs in the centre of the Bible, says that "........the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever........". God is also a plodder when it comes to His faithfulness towards us - it ENDURES FOREVER. That is why the psalmist says "Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples...." [Ps 117:1-2 NIV].
In life, we also need to be patient in our decision making. It is our human nature to run away from difficult situations. Right now I am feeling the same with my boss at work. But when I look at Jacob, who had to work 14 years for his uncle Laban to get the woman he loved. And he had to continue to endure Laban's unfair treatment for another 6 years. My situation is nothing in comparison. And it is good to see that in God's time, "Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." [Gen 31:1-3 NIV] Jacob would only leave Laban when God says so. So be patient PK. :o)
Jesus once warned His disciples about their hearts not to be ".......weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.......Be always on the watch.......and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you be able to stand before the Son of Man." [Luke 21:29-36 NIV] The same warning applies to all believers. But praise God that we are in the Body of Christ. We have one another for encouragement and support in running the marathon.:o)
It is a huge encouragement to hear God says "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD." [Prov 8:32-36 NIV] Yes Lord, I am more than happy to wait at your doorway. :o)
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