Why I ran a half marathon and how it impacted my life

This is one of the few articles where I simply want to share a story from my life. I hope that it will inspire you as it has inspired me.

Sunday, 24th of February 2019 I ran my very first half marathon. This, my friends, is a testimony of God’s goodness. It’s not your typical running testimony where I miraculously got healed from some or other injury. It is about how faithful God is to manifest Himself in different seasons of our lives.
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I’ve always been the arty girl who doesn’t do sports. I never thought God would teach me a lesson through RUNNING– but He did.

​Where it all started

I first “started” running in 2014 during my year in England. As you might remember, I previously wrote about how I spent a year in England doing a course that challenged me in absolutely every way (Bravery vs. Womanhood). 

In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and (for me especially) learn dependence on God – the year also included running. We actually had a goal to run a half marathon by the end of the year, but somehow we never actually got around to train enough for it. Honestly, I was extremely thankful. I really didn’t like running. 

"Although I didn’t like running, it taught me that I am able to face challenges, because of the strength God gives." 

What He taught me
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But in spite of not enjoying running during that year – God used it to teach me a few lessons.
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One of the prominent Scriptures I held onto was Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

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​God used running as a metaphor for all the difficult things I was going through. Even though it felt like I couldn’t go any further; somehow I did, because He was carrying me. Although I didn’t like running, it taught me that I am able to face challenges, because of the strength God gives. 

It wasn’t over yet

Excluding a few odd 2 kilometer jogs I took a break from running until somewhere in 2017. I cannot pinpoint the exact reason for starting again, but unexpectedly I started to enjoy it.  So I ran more and further and I started pushing myself. 

​Then one morning in June 2018, I came across a woman right after she had been stabbed. You can read all about that in the article “On her way to heaven.” I believe God used running to bring me to that woman. I realized His protection over my life, but at the same time became aware of the dangers of running on my own. This was a challenge on its own, but only one month after the incident I was back running again.
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“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Back to Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 

​​What really led to running the half marathon, though, was a season of trusting God. After expectantly inquiring to Him about the season I was in; He gave me Isaiah 40:31 one Sunday at a church gathering. Some of you might have been delighted in receiving a word like that from God, but being the thematic verse for a very challenging season of my life, I was not. I didn’t want to go through another season like that. I was resistant.

Then one of my friends gave me a mug for my birthday with the words “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” written on it. 

Then someone prayed that I will be able to soar like an eagle.

Then another person prayed the exact same thing.

I can’t even remember all the instances, but the verse just kept popping up everywhere I went. So I chose to embrace it – not realizing how this running metaphor will once again become a physical thing.

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Deciding to run a half marathon

A friend of mine suggested I should think of doing a race. After looking up different dates for races one particular one caught my eye. This one – on this specific weekend – which held so much significance to the journey I’m on. And right then I decided to run the 21 kilometer race.  ​

"...it was symbolic for trusting Him with every other area of my life." 

​I realized that this was something God called me to do, especially because it was symbolic for trusting Him with every other area of my life. 

A display of His goodness

After the incident in June I tried to run at times when the streets were at their busiest – simply for safety purposes. To train for the race, however, I was going to have to run more and further than usual – I realized I was going to have to trust God to protect me.

​Oh and how faithful He’s been.

​He even sent a dear friend to do long runs with me on Saturday mornings. And get this – He took me out of my neighborhood to do long runs on a beautiful farm. During my year in England we ran through a beautiful park. It was like God was taking me back to finish something He started in 2014!

"Right there, when it’s really hard, is when we truly encounter who He is."

It’s easy to miss God’s blessing in difficult times; but I believe God uses challenging times as an opportunity to bestow His goodness on us. Right there, when it’s really hard, is when we truly encounter who He is.

Running that race
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The night before the race I read a post by another blogger about running after God and chasing His purpose for your life.
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So I kept thinking of running towards God. I cried about twice during the race and again in the car on the way home; not because of pain or tiredness; but because of being completely aware and overwhelmed by His presence.

​It’s not just a physical thing, you see, running is still this weird metaphor for my current reality. I’m running towards God in everything I do. I’m trusting Him. 
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“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23:6

​I hope that you will choose to be inspired by my story – whether you are facing a season of challenges or not. I hope that you will choose to seek Him in your day to day life, because He is there; working all things for the good (Romans 8:28).

​Share this with your friends!

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