Easy Street (part2)

Running or walking in the winter is hard. There are no two ways about it. Sticking to a program when the sky is gray and rain is pouring down is not motivating. The weather gives me so many excuses not to fulfill the commitment that I have made. Then I realize that I did not make this commitment to myself alone, I made this commitment to God in order to honor Him and Him alone.

Starting down this path....again, has been more difficult than before. My attitude has not been in line with my goals and desires. I have learned attitude effects motivation. My attitude has effected my motivation like never before.

When I wake up and have a great attitude..."Today, I'm going to meet this goal!"...."I am going to spread joy to someone while I'm on my run"....I am motivated and succeed. When my attitude is off..."Great, it's raining...again."..."I am so tired." Then my run is harder and I have a physical feeling that I cannot complete what I have achieved before.

I have studied why things might be off. Change. Change is hard for almost anyone at almost any time. One huge difference is my surroundings. I am use to running in the country or where there is little traffic. I have enjoyed running in Texas where people wave and smile at everyone for no reason at all. I loved running on military installations where other people were running, smiling and encouraging. Running here has been a whole different experience.

Coming to the hard conclusion that my surrounding are not going to change and that people in a large city will not stop being busy, I have set my mind on changing myself. I have to change my attitude. So what if it rains? I've run in the rain before! Is it cold? I've run in the cold before as well. Push through, push through is what I have to repeat to myself.

I have prayed so hard for the willingness to change and have a positive attitude. I have prayed that God would send people to encourage me while I run. Praise God, He is faithful and true! I found that if I ran with my MP3 player and listened to familiar songs, songs I ran to for years, I have the urge to run and run longer. God has placed people in my path who have not only smiled at me but have encouraged me! Older people have been so kind. They have stated "that's great exercise" or "keep it up". My spirit is instantly lifted.

Giving something over to God is not easy. Doing something as a sacrifice to God is not easy. He requires our FIRST fruits. He requires our praise of thankfulness from the depths of our hearts. He requires our dedication and desire to not look to the left or to the right but stay on His path. He has put all of us on the path we walk. He has ordained our steps and He is in control.

The scary thing, there are other people on this path or pathways around us. I will make this very personal to me, if I stumble or fall it will effect those around me. No, everyone isn't looking at me and following me but I might become an obstacle to them. My thoughts have to be for those who are coming up behind me or those who are just slightly ahead.

I was watching an indoor cycling race. One girl bumped another rider ever so slightly, that rider bumped into another person and they both fell. The riders coming up behind them tried to avoid the wreck but some in trying to move out of the way crashed into others. The impact of the first small bump was massive. I don't want to be the cause of a wreck.

My attitude counts. My attitude effects more than myself. My attitude can point to God or not.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained." Philippians 3:14-16 (New American Standard)

During the past month, I have reached some short term goals and have some success. That glory belongs to God and God alone. For He has been my motivation and my driving force. Has it been easy? Absolutely not. I take comfort that the race is not over but the battle is already won, if I will pick up the victory!

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all." Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 (New American Standard)

As I continue on my personal journey, I pray that I can shine the love of God to someone else. As you continue on your personal journey I pray that you will also shine and encourage. Be the person to encourage a positive attitude. Be the one that gives life to someone who is struggling.

Let me leave you with one last thought. Want to be motivated? Change your attitude! :-)

Easy Street? (part 1)

"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites." Philippians 3:17 (The Message)

I am sharing my journey towards commitment with you. I know many people start out wanting a deeper relationship with God or being physically fit in order to honor Him. Then somewhere along the way, they get discouraged or lost and they stop. I don't have all the answers. I don't have all the inspiration in the world but I will run with you.

I only began making a serious lifestyle change when I was 33 years old. Before then, I was truly under the impression some people were born to be athletes and I was not one of them. My road to healthy living started slowly. As I gained abilities, my confidence grew and I sat specific goals to reach each week.

When I was young, running was something I only did if I was in danger but at the age of 35 I aspired to become a runner. Setting goals was extremely important for me. Each objective kept me motivated and the experience fresh. A new desire meant a new plan to see to fruition. Nothing came about unless I planned, got off the couch and worked hard.

On my 40th birthday, I reached my ultimate goal. I ran 26.2 miles by myself. I did not run in a proper marathon. There were no other runners, music or crowds of on-lookers. Very few people knew of my intention. I can honestly say this was the hardest thing I've ever acheived. It was only by the grace of God that I finished. Mentally, the discouragement I threw at myself was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome.

Several months later, I completed the Army 10 Miler in Germany. It was a much different experience. There were other runners, family and friends. I ran beside a woman from Houston and we encouraged each other every step of the way. We paced ourselves. Even though we were some of the last people during the first few miles, we didn't get discouraged. We knew a secret. We knew that there were many more miles to go and we wanted to finish strong.

Now I find myself in a completely different situation. After having a baby and moving, I felt in my heart I had lost my inspiration. My motivation disappeared. Just the thought of physical activity brought out the struggle between my mind and body. I was frustrated. Recently, I made the commitment to begin running seriously again.

The first thing I discovered, the mind does not forget what it has done but the body does. I remember being able to run for miles and now, mentally, I think I can. However, my body tells me a different story. It's the same old battle between the spirit and the flesh. "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 (New American Standard) When I looked back longingly to my past, it almost pained me. I was able to accomplish so much and now, it was discouraging.

Begining
God's Word is so motivating! "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 (New American Standard) I began by dwelling on the acheivements the Lord allowed me to attain in a positive manner. If the Lord allowed me to build up a strong endurance in the past, He can certainly do it again! I also went back over one basic of physical fitness....start slow!

The Christian walk is like being physically fit. It's just not easy. There are highs and lows. There are times of great fitness and other times when maintaining is a struggle. There are times of great closeness and times of feeling far away.

Maybe, you are on the same path. Maybe, you are struggling to start a fitness program. Maybe, you are finding it difficult to have a relationship with God. Whatever you are going through, focus on the positive steps you have taken. Focus on the acheivements and not the disappointments. Write down the great things God has allowed you to reach! Then ask yourself the question I ask myself each day.

Am I satisfied where I am or will I be brave enough to move beyond this point?
(To Be Continued)