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I Can Do All Things

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I started running when I was already pushing 50. I thought about this verse often; usually when I felt like stopping. Seriously, can I really do "all things?" 

After a long, sedentary time in my life, I trained for and finished my first 10K in 64:51. Nothing spectacular. It took the guy who won the race less than half that time to fly up and down Monument Avenue. So, if my faith was stronger, could I have passed him? After all, I can do "all things."

Not a chance. When Paul wrote the words, "all things," he wasn't referring to just any crazy idea that dashed into his mind. He meant that he could rise to any challenge to which God had called him. In his case, he was trying to live and minister while under house arrest.

So God had not called me to win that 10K. But I believe He had called me to get my butt out of my big red recliner, prep for the race, and complete it. Through Christ, I was able to do that. 

 Plenty of challenges followed. Marathons, Obstacle Course Races, not to mention the personal and family crises that we all deal with - athlete or not. I don't know what He'll call me to next. But I know this. He'll give me strength. And if I throw in the towel, it's not His fault.
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