Running against the wind.

"We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up.
We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back."
~Hebrews 12:1

Since the new year, I've lost all motivation to run.

And I especially didn't want to run this morning.

I only like to run when it's sunny and bright and blue skies outside.

But this morning, it was grey and dreary and cold. So cold that I had to wear gloves. For Florida, that might as well be below zero for me. I hate the cold. And worse, I hate running in the cold.

However, I knew that's exactly why I needed to go run this morning. Life isn't always sunny and bright and blue skies. There are grey and dreary moments when everything just sucks, when you just want to hit something, when you've lost all faith in things and people you once knew as good, when you want to stop faking smiles to others and cry your eyes out, when you just want to stay curled up in the warmth of your bed and not face the day. (Just being real with you all here.)

And of course, it's in those times, God not only asks us to tackle the day, but start it off running as fast we can.

So I finally got outside. Layered up in a long sleeve shirt and a jacket, gloves on, not needing sunglasses because it was that gloomy and gross out. Not only did I NOT want to be out there, but then halfway through, God sends what felt like a giant windstorm blowing me all over the place. I could barely walk, my legs feeling so heavy against the wind opposing me. And just like how my life feels right now, I couldn't help but look up so frustrated and scream:

"WHAT NEXT LORD?"

Then I heard:

"Run. This is when it counts the most. Just run. To Me."

God is crazy, I swear.

But I changed my iPod over to Casting Crowns "Praise You In This Storm" and took off running with everything I had.

I couldn't feel my toes or fingers or ears or nose. But I ran.
I couldn't breathe as the cold pierced my lungs. But I ran.
I could barely lift my legs as they pushed against the wind trying to toss me backward. But I ran.
I never run up hills and wanted to quit when I reached one. But I ran.
I never run for the full length of a song, but for 4 minutes and 59 seconds, I ran.

And just as I reached the top of the hill and the song closed with "Though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm" fading out, I stopped to finally catch my breath bending over feeling as if I was about to puke. But then I noticed my shadow slowly appear on the ground. I looked up, and to my surprise, I kid you not, the sun had come out.

I couldn't help but smirk thinking, "Ha, that's so much like God." In the midst of the storms swirling around us, He simply wants us to continue praising Him. To run to Him. To let Him carry us through the wind and opposition when we can barely move against it on our own. To push forward in faith trusting that even though we don't understand His purpose in the midst of dark moments, He PROMISES to flood our eyes with new light.

If we just believe and listen...

...He will bless us.



SIDENOTE: I think I'm going to start a new Nike challenge soon for those that have the iPod/Nike dealio. Be on the look out so you can sign up and we can virtually race! I did this with a bunch of other photographers last year and it's so much fun! It was half the reason I started running in the first place, because I've NEVER been a runner before. For those that aren't familiar with it, you can check out more info here to see what it is all about and how to get your own gear. I'll post the challenge soon for you all to sign up.