A few years ago, I was asked if I would run a race, a 5k. My first thought was maybe. I’m not really a runner. Then I looked at the course for this race. It was on the hills of a ski resort with obstacles to hurl myself over. It was called the Warrior Dash.

I was ready to challenge myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn’t too old for such things. Just as I had been recruited, I recruited some friends and family to join the insanity, and then began training. It was time to kick the workouts up a notch. It was time to start running. I didn’t have any lofty time goals. I just wanted to finish. Finish, I did. Several months of training paid off. I could run the 3.2 miles. I could handle most of the obstacles, and I didn’t die running straight up the side of a ski slope.

I knew what the goal was. I knew how to prepare, and I knew when I had accomplished the task. God sets us on a journey. One that is specific for each of us. One to form us into His likeness. One to carry out the race marked for us.

You’re blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel. (Psalm 119: 1-7 MSG).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).

The race God has set for us is for the long haul. It requires perseverance. It requires continued close relationship with Him. It requires a willingness to do hard things. The race set before us centers around our hearts being molded and restored. The race called us into compassion, grace and mercy towards others. The race calls us to face our fears and trust Him in all things. When we do, we are blessed.

The path He has set before me has challenged me to face fears. Fears bigger than a 5k like 5 years of weekly blogging :0) Deciding to stay on the path with him, having difficult conversations, admitting I’m wrong, taking leaps of faith, has brought me many blessings. It has strengthened relationships, built intimacy, and opened my heart to others. Sometimes I don’t want to stay on the path because it’s hard. I have learned to trust. He has never steered me wrong, and that is what I lean on when it’s hard.

Choosing to stay on the path with God and living without regrets is hard. The love that comes from sticking it out is beyond measure. Are you willing to run the race set before you, face the difficult growth areas and have your life fuller than you ever imagined? Ask God to show you the way. I know he will.

How have you learned to run the race? Share here and breathe life and bring hope to others.

(Yes, this blog is now five years old-over 250 posts. It’s a crazy ride this journey with God. I never would have expected this and I wouldn’t change any of it.)