I shared with you earlier, my struggle. I heard Jesus whispering to me, but I was unsure WHAT He was whispering.
I found myself struggling when I'm was running, finding the world was taking over HIM time by filling my "date" with Him with being too busy to focus on Him and life static. I wasn't truly spending time with Him, I was fitting Him in. I realized this and decided it was time to MAKE HIM my priority. Make Him my day, not just slide Him into it - I stopped running and started soaking in Him. I started listening more, I started asking more questions. Not in doubt, but in desire for direction.
Yesterday was my first run since December 7th. I had decided I would open my heart up to taking better care of me, tune out the world and bring Jesus on my runs, no outside influences, no ipod blaring. No buzz in my background. I met up with my girlfriend -who is not a talker when we run, we both enjoy the peacefulness of just being together and going. Sometimes we chat, this was not one of those times really. We were starting our year off with a 5k run [in the freezing cold!] with a goal to run 1000 miles each in 2016. She had a wonderful idea to purchase shirts for us to wear on our runs we do together... "Run For God"... which I loved! A great reminder it isn't always just about the run, but Running with a purpose to serve and share Him.
As we ran, toes tingling, fingers frozen and nose dripping....I found the joy in hearing Jesus speaking to me. I kept hearing this song:
"Breathe on me, breath of God, breathe on me
Breathe on me, breath of God, breathe on me
I come alive, I'm alive when You breathe on me
I come alive, I'm alive when You breathe on me
Awake, awake, awake my soul,
God resurrect these bones
From death to life, for You alone
Awake my soul
Speak to me, Word of God, speak to me
Speak to me, Word of God, speak to me
I come alive, I'm alive when you speak to me
I come alive, I'm alive when you speak to me"
I smiled, wiped my drippy nose and prayed THANK YOU JESUS for this beautiful but freezing cold morning, friends, new and old who came out to run and the blessing of having Jesus with me.
It felt great. I felt great. My soul was feeling restored, my heart glad to have Him with me, my legs & arms happy to be moving. And of course the blessing of the friendship shared.
Later in the day, I received an email from someone who saw our shirts Run For God at the race [ohhh God is good!]
She inquired if we were part of a running group - we are not. We're a small gang of two HA!
Further visiting with one another and sharing, my day double blessed. It is astounding to me how God uses people and circumstances to OPEN A WIDOW and whisper to you ~ to call to you and say, THIS is where I want you to go. OH MY..... and I didn't respond with ME? I responded with WE. I felt moved by the gal reaching out to me, it wasn't about MY Calling, it was clear God was calling US. A few emails back and forth sharing with one another and we are on a journey. A journey together, which God has had mapped out all along... oh yes HE IS GOOD [all the time]! I don't know exactly what this means right this moment - but I know this! God tells us TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE and this sweet gal shared she was marveled at the ways God was working.
God knows the desires and loves of my heart. He knows I love Him. I love sharing Him. I love running. I love inspiring others to move, walk... run or crawl! When I was questioning WHERE AM I GOING, I had concluded His desire was something removed from my desire to share running. Yesterday, He confirmed with me, His desire to for me to serve Him and to run with a purpose. To share my love of Jesus and Running with others. To begin a mini mission in my own backyard with people who share my love of faith, fitness, friendship and family.
What a gift when He brings His plan full circle and opens your eyes, ears, heart and arms to receive it.
I'm feeling over the top blessed this morning, with a new fire burning to share Jesus, to share running and to embrace new friendships. Thank you Jesus... how AWESOME YOU ARE! Thank you Jesus for opening windows and whispering COME. And thank you Lord for opening a door for sharing you with others - BLESSED INDEED!