Confession: I’m not a graceful runner. Even the word “run” might be a bit misleading. I move faster than when I’m walking, but the average poodle and/or enthusiastic toddler would have a good shot at outpacing me.
However, when I start out on a run, I feel like an Olympian. I stand up straight and bend my elbows at just the right place. There’s a stretch of my route that goes along a fairly busy road, and I don’t mind being there. I even feel a bit cool in my sunglasses, earbuds in and feet pounding the pavement.
But historically, I’ve never, ever wanted anyone to see me at the end of a run. Because by that point, my hair is matted with sweat, my face is the color of a raspberry, and my proper posture is long gone. Not the average poodle but the average basset hound could likely beat me. I start out my run with a bit of “Here I am, look at me!” and by the end it has switched to “Have mercy, look away!”
On a recent run, I reached that point. I wanted to hide. Then it seemed I heard a whisper in my heart: People need to see your endurance more than your “perfection.” I almost stopped right there in the middle of the trail because isn’t that true?
People don’t need us to have it all together; they need to see us refuse to quit.
They don’t need to admire our beautiful strides; they need to see that Jesus gets us through our stumbles.
They don’t need to see us go fast; they need to see us be faithful.
Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
The hard part about this is we don’t want anyone to see us when we’re struggling. It’s awkward and vulnerable. It feels like we’re letting our guard down. But Jesus Himself modeled this for us, “He endured the cross, disregarding its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). The cross was the “end of the run” for Jesus. He hung exposed, wounded, and willingly weak. He could have finished His time on earth with an impressive show, an epic final announcement, proof of His divinity so that the whole world would believe instantly.
But, no, instead He did His greatest work on our behalf not through performance but endurance. This gives me hope because it means to represent Him, I don’t have to look strong all the time. I just need to keep being obedient. It’s okay if I’m sweaty and smelly, weary and unsteady on my feet. I’m never asked by God to impress anyone.
We don’t have to be Olympians running the race of faith, only ordinary humans. God has not asked us to be perfect examples. He’s simply asked us to point to Him and say, “This is why I can keep going.”
Sometimes life is about breathing and lifting, putting one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes life is about lifting our eyes to chase God’s glory up the steepest hills.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore
God, thank You that Jesus shows me what it means to endure. On the days when I grow weary, when I worry I’m not a good enough example, remind me that I have nothing to prove. I’m already loved, and You only ask me to keep taking one step after another toward You. Amen.
We all need to be cheered on sometimes. Who’s at a challenging place in their race of faith right now? Encourage them to keep going with Holley’s new card line Hope for Life’s Hard Moments from DaySpring.
God has not asked us to be perfect examples. He’s simply asked us to point to Him and say, “This is why I can keep going.” -@holleygerth: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Holley,
For so many years, I wore a mask that said to the outside world, “I’ve got my act together,” when inside I was a total mess. I was an imposture. Our light that shines in a world of darkness is not “perfection” it’s “obedience.” I agree that when others see us go down to the mat and continue to get back up every time the world knocks us down, that speaks volumes. I have persevered through many struggles in life, but I’m the first to say that it was ALL God working in me. If we don’t have struggles, people don’t get to see God work through us, but when we are weak and we continue to persevere, we can boast about God’s enabling, awesome power. Great post and love your description of your running “style” 😉
Blessings,
Bev xx
I know this so well Holley. I try to look as if I am making stuff happens when in reality I am failing and struggling and trying to just wing it. My most favorite quote to say, “Faking it til I make it”… But you are so right when you say, others need to see the vulnerable side and to see that despite our imperfections and flaws, we keep moving forward, baby step all the way. Thank you for this reminder that no matter what we look like, God loves us. He loves us just the way we are and right where we are. Thank you Lord for loving on all of us especially when we are most unlovable.
Holley,
In Emily P. Freeman’s book Grace for the Good Girl she talks about taking off the mask of perfection. Quit striving to please everyone & show the world the real you. Christians are the best at hiding behind masks. Sunday morning church you ask someone how they are doing & they’ll say “fine”. When really deep down they aren’t. We feel we need to be strong all the time. That simply can’t be. Life happens & hits you hard. It’s ok to not be ok. We just need to keep on persevering through our trials & temptations. Romans 5:3-4 says: we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. God asks us to take one step & one day at a time. Our job is point this dark world to Jesus. We can do it by simply enduring. Not hiding behind a mask of perfection. Show the world the real you & then point to God & say “this is what/who keeps me going”.
Blessings 🙂
I will just say i really needed this :).
Thank you Holley for packing so much encouragement and truth in this one devotion! There are so many good nuggets to take away!
https://www.kathycheek.com/2019/07/make-first-breath-of-morning-your-fall.html
Needed this reminder today. 30 years ago I met the Lord standing in the back of a small church when the Pastor’s eyes met mine and he preached “Let the weak say they are strong “. I was going through a divorce and had a one year old son. Jesus gave me what I needed to go on. 10 years ago, my son moved to heaven. Jesus gave me what I needed to go on. 8 years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. 6 years ago I had to quit my job, my ministry as an interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing This morning as my symptoms are becoming more of a daily struggle, I feel like giving up. I NEED JESUS TO GIVE ME WHAT I NEED TO GO ON
Praying for you, Donna!
Donna . . . As I read your response, I think of my sister who has MS. She can’t walk and it is becoming more and more difficult for her to feed herself. And yet, she handles it with dignity and strength–as I believe you do. It’s hard to understand why these things happen to some and those who we think deserve it because of what they have done to others, get away scott free. But, ours is not to judge.
Jesus has met you in the past and He will continue to in the future. When you are week He is strong. Your continuing to fight the good fight is an inspiration to me and I am sure many others.
Dear Jesus, I pray for Donna and ask that you give her something to delight in today. The joy of the Lord is her strength.
Let her feel your loving arms around her as you comfort her with your everlasting love. In your Name, amen.
thankyou ! I recently had a friend dump me . she said she needs only people in her life that show top notch excellence after all our life should show good fruit nonstop.
I was stunned…thats not at all how I understand that scripture. we all stumble and do not have to put on a fake pretend smile . after some sadness I did realize im so much better off being my true self.. not being friends to someone who wants that perfect person.
being real takes more personal dignity and strength then being a fake.
just being a normal human with ups and downs relying on God weekly is real life.
thankyou for sharing this message
Holley, I’m trying to lose a few pounds after a recent trip to the U.K. Too much sticky toffee pudding and fish and chips! But I feel like I hardly eat anything and still the weight remains. Thank you for encouraging me to keep on keeping on. It’s okay to struggle and be observed struggling. I will not be defeated!
Isn’t God’s timing just perfect? After a lot of prayerful consideration I decided this weekend to attempt to train for a 10K in February, in spite of medical advice that my running days are over. On a good day before my back injury I resembled your humorous description above; now at age 60 there is no telling how slow or awkward I’m likely to be. And yet, I feel God calling me to try to run again. Your post was the first thing I opened this morning and it felt like further confirmation that this is the right path for me. Thank you for these brave and beautiful words!
Donna . . . As I read your response, I think of my sister who has MS. She can’t walk and it is becoming more and more difficult for her to feed herself. And yet, she handles it with dignity and strength–as I believe you do. It’s hard to understand why these things happen to some and those who we think deserve it because of what they have done to others, get away scott free. But, ours is not to judge.
Jesus has met you in the past and He will continue to in the future. When you are week He is strong. Your continuing to fight the good fight is an inspiration to me and I am sure many others.
Dear Jesus, I pray for Donna and ask that you give her something to delight in today. The joy of the Lord is her strength.
Let her feel your loving arms around her as you comfort her with your everlasting love. In your Name, amen.
Thank you so much for this, Holley. This one really spoke to my heart. I’m sending it to a few runner friends of mine. they understand better than I do of feeling like you’re going to die by the end of a run. Keep letting the Lord speak (or write) through you, because He is doing wondrous things through you. Blessings today.
This is so beautiful. May I quote parts
of it on our Facebook outreach page as long as I credit you?
Thank you for this perspective of endurance. For the past 5 months I have been dealing with a number of health issues that have yet to be fully identified. They have primarily been a nuisance more than dangerous, but have made me quite weary nonetheless. Through it all, my faith has been strengthened in a way I never expected. He is the very reason I have been able to continue fighting. Thank you for sharing this and helping me to view this as another example of how God is working through me.
Hi Holley,
Beautiful, meaningful post! How often we as Christians don’t want to be seen as weak, having problems etc. This was a powerful reminder that only Jesus was perfect, and as you said, we just need to keep showing others that our faith in Him is what gets us through another day.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Shalom, Sandy