What Lies Ahead

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 

I press on to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 3:13-14

Me and My Sweetie pre-run;
I'm smiling because it's PRE-run - ha!

Pre-run jitters danced in my stomach. I took a deep breath and the initial steps of my first half marathon. The course was arduous. As soon as I topped one hill, another loomed ahead. Early on I knew finishing would be a far greater challenge than I had envisioned.

Out on the road it was just me and God. I prayed. I sang in my heart. I thought about scripture. What I didn't do was look back. It does no good to look back at the ground you've covered. When you run, what matters is what lies ahead.

I did it again. I took a sharp tone with my daughter. Regret immediately followed. I prayed for God's help. I asked her forgiveness. I didn't look back but at what lies ahead.

The memory came back in a terrifying dream. I laid shaking in the bed as I inched closer to my husband. I called out to God for His peace. I didn't look back but at what lies ahead.

Too often we stay trapped in condemnation, guilt and fear because our necks are craned on ground we've already covered.

Look forward, friend. Because of Who runs with you, ahead lies peace. Ahead is joy.

Forget what is behind and press on toward what is ahead.