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I woke up in the middle of the night with a very specific petition weighing on my heart: "Lord, I want to be able to run in a marathon." Almost instantly, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper back to me, "You are. It’s called life."
I had to laugh because it was so true, but at that moment, I had a very literal race on my mind. I had signed up for the Hood to Coast Relay, a bucket-list dream. However, the path to the starting line was anything but easy. I had recently returned from a missions trip to Nepal where I had contracted cholera. I truly almost died. Coming off the back of a previous battle with malaria, my body was weary and broken.
My doctor gave me a strict warning: "Nancy, you cannot run if you have a fever." My coach asked if I was sure I wanted to do this. I looked her in the eye and said, "If I have to crawl across that finish line, I will finish." I spent my training days battling recurring symptoms, often feeling incredibly sick after a 6K practice run, but I kept my eyes on the goal. As an inspirational composer, I’ve often found that the most beautiful melodies come after the most difficult movements.
I started praying specifically about my "legs" of the race. I asked the Lord if I could avoid the scorching midday sun or the pitch black of night. He was so gracious; He gave me a 6.8-mile stretch of pure glory just as the sun was rising. At 61 years old, running toward that horizon, I felt so much energy and so much life. It wasn't about accolades; it was about the experience of His presence.
When we finally reached the beach and they placed those medals around our necks, I couldn't help but think about heaven. I thought about what it will feel like to finish this long marathon of life, to finally see Jesus and fall down before Him. I realized that the Platforms of Praise aren't just found in concert halls, but on the pavement and in the sand where we finish what He called us to start.
Your Daily Marathon
I pray for you in the marathon you are running daily. Please, do not try to run it on your own. Relying on Him isn't a sign of weakness; it’s where our power comes from. Scripture tells us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. When you feel like you can't go another step, or when the world tells you "you can't," you are actually in the perfect place for a miracle.
Reflection: What "finish line" are you eyeing today? Remember that the Lord isn't just waiting for you at the end; He is the breath in your lungs for every mile in between. Turn your struggle into a stride of faith today.
