A mustard-seed-mountain-moving faith

I was ¾ of the way through my training schedule when God said something that blew my mind away. Seriously. It challenged everything I knew – or thought I knew – about him.

I was crunching the numbers, calculating how many miles I could run, how many miles I needed to run, and how many days I had left to train. Trust me things were not looking good. I was behind on my training and it wasnt for lack of trying, which added even more stress. Then, as I drowned in distress, God gave me a modern, and very intimate, example of a mustard-seed-mountain-moving faith. Such a faith would look like this: A runner, forsaking their training schedule, yet stepping up to the starting line completely confident that the race is as good as won. No preparation needed, no hundred plus miles logged, just a complete and utter trust in God. (To drive this point home, for those that are not familiar with a half marathon training schedule, imagine anything you have strived to conquer, and then imagine being asked to forsake all preparation yet promised that you would still be a conqueror.) That image entered my mind and I began to cry. I cried in awe of Christ. I cried with a longing to have such a faith to move mountains beyond my justification. And, I cried for every man and women that is trying to earn their way to heaven’s finish line.

When it comes to being reconciled to God, Jesus is our training schedule. He is the way and the truth and the life. Only through Christ will we cross heaven’s finish line. Even more glorious and mind boggling, is the training schedule that Christ has outlined because it is not about us, what we can do or what we can train to do.

Yesterday I ran a half marathon. I spent months training for this run and still found it to be a huge challenge. After I signed up for the race (in March) I was pretty confident. I remember thinking, “I’ve got this in the bag! All I need to do is follow the training schedule.” And then my body failed me. There were days my legs were so weak that I had to grip the handle bars on the treadmill to sustain my body.  Frustrated, I realized that I was in over my head. The whole follow-the-training-schedule plan was not working. It took me weeks to recognize my arrogance. Yes, arrogance. (I know - I was confused too). God showed me that saying "I've got this" not only was not possible, it was not pleasing. What’s wrong with wanting to overcome an obstacle?  Doesn’t God want me to step outside my comforts and self-imposed limits?

God showed me that saying “I can” is just as arrogant as saying “I cannot”. I know – I bet you are confused too. So what can we say? How about this: He can! I can do all things through he who strengthens me means that whatever we strive for will be accomplished in result of our belief in Christ and not a hope vested in ourselves or others.

I crossed the finish line yesterday but it was not as imagined. Humbling would be the best word to describe it. My body failed me at about mile 10 with three miles between myself and the finish line. At about mile 11 a woman came and joined me. She ran beside me the rest of the way, bringing me water and encouragement. I would be wrong not to remember her in recalling my victory. She was definitely real. 

After I crossed the finish line a women said to me, "Well, maybe next time you will train better." Maybe I will - if there is a next time. Time will tell if yesterday's race was my inaugural and commemorative race. Whatever happens on earth, at least, I'm ready to cross heaven's finish line. And, my heart is more burdened for those that are not ready, for those who are at their 10th mile and need a savior.

Believing Jesus Christ is the Son of God, was crucified for our sin, and was accepted by God as a worthy sacrificial offering for our sin - that is the training schedule that will get you to heaven's finish line.

John 14:5-6
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 

Matthew 17:20

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How my purple toes are helping Africa

Dear family and friends, 

Did you know that I am running a half marathon? Its true! On September 11th I will run in the Chicago Half-Marathon. I’m running with a great team too – I’ll get that later.

First, I want to tell you about my purple toes. Yes you read right, my purple toes! I began training for the race in March; back then I was exhausted just thinking about running five miles! I wish I could say training has been a breeze. Honestly, training for this race has been one of the hardest things I have done.

My shoes have been my bread and butter. I can’t imagine training without them, granted they have caused me a lot of pain, sores, and blisters. For example, they turned the big toe on both my feet purple! At first I didn’t realize it because I had pink nail polish on my toes. Then I thought I had a toe fungus. Finally I realized my shoes were the culprit. They were too small – a full size and a half to be exact. Almost immediately I decided to buy new shoes. Now, I have a new pair and I’m ready for the race. I can’t imagine running the race with my old shoes. It’s amazing to think how quickly I took care of my need. It may have taken me weeks to figure out such a need existed, but once I did, once I removed my pink nail polish, I took care of it.

I bet you would have done the same thing, which is why I am writing you. I want to tell you about another need, one that is much more important than my shoes. One that cannot simply be covered up by pink nail polish. Education – in Angola, Africa to be exact. While primary education is free in Angola, many children are not able to attend school due to a lack of school buildings. (During the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) nearly half of all schools were looted or destroyed). This is where Team Rise steps in – I’m taking part in the Team RISE 2011 to raise money for RISE International.

The mission of Rise International is to partner with Angolan churches, community leaders and government officials to build primary schools in rural Angola. The first school was built in 2003, just 8 years ago - and now there are over 100 schools built, and more than 60,000 children in school learning, those that would not have had the chance for years to come!

Each and every penny you give matters and will make a difference.  Our team goal for 2011 is to raise $200,000 by running the Chicago Half Marathon and full Marathon.  It takes on average $125 to create space in a school for a student, so this goal represents an additional 1,600 students that will be able to go to school because of you. 

Would you consider giving $13 to Rise International? It’s an odd number – 13 – but also significant. Why?

…13 is the number of miles I’ll run on September 11th

…13 (dollars) is about how much you’d spend eating out…how about eating in for a change, to make a change? J

…13 (years) is the average length of time an American child – and hopefully an Angolan child, thanks to your gift – is afforded to spend in grade school

Click here to make a donation to Team Rise now. All donations are secure and sent directly to RISE International by FirstGiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.

I’m so glad I got a chance to share with you about my race and Rise International.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Emily 

PS...I usually don't post stuff like this on my blog but thought you may enjoy knowing about a way the Lord is growing my faith muscles in a very concrete and physical way. Plus, I couldn't pass on the opportunity to tell you about the needs in Angola. I hope you will consider helping these kiddos out!