This morning, as I set out for my daily 2-mile walk it was cold and rainy. Spray blew in my face and my jogging pants were getting soaked. It was a generally miserable day for a walk. At the ½ mile mark I’d had enough. I said to myself, “Forget this”, and turned back. A mile was plenty of exercise for a day like today.
However, after about 15 steps back towards home. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t quit. I’ve been quitting things all my life and I’m done with that. I’d given myself a goal of 2 miles and I was going to do it, no matter what the weather. Turning around I headed back up the hill, the rain coming down heavier than before.
The weird thing is, when I reached my turn-around point, I didn’t want to quit. I kept going, my feet pounding the wet pavement, the wind in my face, and loving every minute of it. By the time I got back home I’d done 3.1 miles, running a good portion of it, and I felt great! I’d not only reached my goal, I’d surpassed it.
On a day when 30,000 people are running 26.2 miles in the pouring rain in the 2018 Boston Marathon, my little victory may seem pretty insignificant (and it is), but for each of us the race is different, the challenges unique. For some, a walk around the block may be all they can do. For others, like the Boston Marathoners, a 5K is just a warm up.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.” What is important is not to quit, to keep pushing, to keep our eyes on the goal. As Rich Roll says, in his book Finding Ultra, we have to “Just keep moving forward.” (p. 197).
The key to success, not just in athletics, but in all areas of life is persistence. As Paul says in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Right now it may seem like your goals are unreachable, your dreams unattainable. The storms of life have left you battered and worn. Tears stream down your face and you’re ready to turn back. You’re ready to quit!
Don’t do it my friend! Lift your head and set your eyes on the goal. Cry out to God for help and then just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep moving forward and before you know it you will cross the finish line and be able to say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.
Today, don’t let the rain slow you down or the wind turn you back. Jesus runs beside you every step of the way, so don’t be discouraged. Don’t give up! Don’t wait for the storm to pass! Run in the rain!