#mywhy #runforgod #halfmarathon by: Julie Wicker
I recently shared my running journey with you all back in June. A quick recap, I started running in January through the Run for God bible study & 5k program. Once I reached my 5k goal in April, I kept pushing myself week after week to run farther. I had always planned on running the 5k in Georgetown’s Bridge to Bridge Run on 11/2/19. Over the summer I decided to challenge myself to sign up for the 12k. I kept pushing harder each week. When summer was over and I had surpassed a 12K, I was contemplating signing up for the half marathon.

Am I crazy? The answer is YES! You are probably asking WHY?
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint Isa 40:31. If my Dad can fight Pancreatic Cancer for 10 months and continues fighting today. If my friend Eve can start her two-year journey into fighting Leukemia. If my friends Jo Anne and Harriette can fight cancer not once but multiple times. The ifs could go on and on. The key is endurance and if God has brought me this far, surely, he will equip me to run and not grow weary.
Would my first run be a 12k or go all in for the half marathon? It came down to just a few days before I would register.
I listened to an interview that Run for God had done with Ryan Hall who is a retired Olympic and world record runner. He really spoke to me personally in that interview. Ryan asked the question; Have you done what God has told you to do? For me God, has put running on my heart. This journey has become my platform. I have felt the nudge to run the half marathon for a while now, I’ve admitted this to many people. I’ve also been transparent and admitted my concerns. Ryan goes on to say we should also listen to the people God has surrounded us with. I love my Run for God Bible study group at Herbert Memorial UMC, they have encouraged me. What really stepped on my toes was when Ryan said; what comes out of you is what you believe about yourself. He compared this to the scripture, everything flows from the heart. In Proverbs 4:23 we read; “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”.
Am I nervous? Yes of course! Do I think I’m equipped? No! But I know my God equips the called.
This week as I was running at Run for God, the song “You Say” by Lauren Daigle came on my Pandora. She sings; “In you I find my worth, in you I find my identity”. In the lyrics to this song I find my answers; “You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. You say I am held when I am falling short. When I don’t belong, oh you say I am yours. And I believe, what you say of me”.
What is your why? I hope this week has encouraged you to think about your why’s. When your dreams and goals have purpose, they are easier to push through and accomplish them.
You Say by: Lauren Daigle