Let God be God. Advent Day 4. December 4, 2013.

If you’ve had a conversation with me,

you know that I like running.

A lot. 

I like it for many reasons.

The challenge,

getting out in the fresh air,

the runner’s high,

the feeling of accomplishment,

but also the ups and downs of running.

I’ve learned that the roller coaster that is running

mirrors my life so precisely

and through that,

I’ve learned to let God be God.

Here’s a play-by-play of my thought process during my run this Sunday.

Miles 1-3: Doing well. Slow and steady. Ease your body into it. Wow, it’s really cold out here. Dang it, I already have to use the bathroom. Okay, we’re good now. Back on track. Ease into it.

Miles 4-7: This is ridiculously painful. Why am I doing this again? Why did I decide to run away from my car? Now I have to make it the whole way back. This sucks. Ow. Pain.

Miles 8-10: OH MY GOSH. I love running so much. I want to do this forever and ever! Can I just get paid to run? I think I might even run past the car I’m feeling so great. This is the best thing in the world!

Miles 11-14: Ouch. Almost done. Runner’s high, come back, pretty please. Food. Foooood. Sleeep. Now the sun is really hot. Why did I wear long sleeves? Should I shower, eat, or sleep first? Almost done. Done!!

Walk to the car: Running is the best thing on the planet!! I cannot wait until next Sunday.

No. Joke.

Running is an exact replication of my life.

One minute I am ready to take on the world

and do whatever Christ asks of me.

The next moment I am depressed

and wonder why I am even here.

The followed by a moment of being angry

and finally a moment of sheer joy.

It’s exhausting.

But it is life.

Our emotions and thoughts fluctuate

more often than the second hand ticking on the clock.

But once again,

where we fail,

God fills in for us

and succeeds.

“For I, the Lord, do not change.” Malachi 3:6

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 

Even though my thoughts are racing

100 miles a minute,

He is.

He stays the same.

When I started to recognize that my runs are a representation of my life,

I started to allow God to take control of my runs

but far more importantly,

I started to allow Him to take control of my life.

He is all the stability I will ever need.

I am learning to let God be God in my life.

My emotions and thoughts might run wild

but He is there

and He is unchanging.

He remains the same.

What a refreshing thought during this chaotic holiday season.

No matter what happens this season,

how many gifts you buy,

how burnt your ham gets,

or how many family tiffs break out,

God will remain the same today and always.

Let God be God.