Here We Are!

February 27, 2015: Time certainly flies.  It seems like not long ago at all when I was in the last few weeks training for the Chicago Marathon.  It then came to a crashing halt with a calf injury.  Now here we are......less than 14 hours away from the Phoenix Marathon.  Although I have been battling a cold the last few days, the training leading into Phoenix has gone seemingly well.....injury free, and feeling pretty fit.
    My biggest battle right now is combating doubt.  Confidence can sometimes be a fragile thing; especially if you are putting confidence in yourself.  When I started my easy 4-mile jog today, my legs felt on the stale side.  They gradually loosened up, but still did not feel fantastic.  I sometimes then wonder how this translates to hopefully running a PR marathon tomorrow.  It will be interesting to see.  It is a point to point race, and looking at the course map and weather forecast, we look to be facing semi-moderate cross-winds for much of the race with some relatively significant stretches of head-winds, and fewer sections of tail-winds.  The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid to upper 50's for about the first 2-2.5 hours or so, then working it's way through the 60's then into the low 70's for the rest of the race.  I am hoping to finish while the temperature is still in the 50's.
     I am at a place right now where I have to put my total confidence in God.  He's the only way to go.  I want to step to the starting line knowing that with God All Things Are Possible.  I want to have a spirit of wisdom, courage, and faith.  I want to expect God to do something big.  I want to be in tune with Him, and go out running the race He has marked out for me.  I want God to fill me with His Spirit so I can reflect Christ to others.  Although I struggle with both at times, there truly is no place for worry or doubt.  There is nothing tomorrow that is too big for God, and nothing that will surprise Him.  He is bigger than this race, and bigger than the result.  I want to run to honor Him.  My desire is to run faster than even I think I can run.  I want God to do something greater with this race than I ever could.  I pray that His Grace be over these last several weeks of training....that His Mercy would cover any possible mistakes that I made.  I pray that just like he took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed 5,000......that He would take what I have, and do something huge with it.
     It's all up to Him though.  His thoughts are above my thoughts, and His ways are above mine.  Whatever He does.....it is well....and He is good.  I just want to have fun and run free for Him, and hopefully reflect Him to others.  To Him be the Glory.