“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
The Next Mailbox
I have never been a runner. However, I became a runner when one of my best friends at church began a running program to train for a 5K. Each Thursday we met as a group, which shared a short devotion time before heading out to run together. Every run was difficult for me, as I was the slowest runner and always at the back of the group. I soon realized running, for me, was a mental exercise.
I learned to set my sights on a destination ahead of me as a goal to get to. For example, I would tell myself, “Just make it to the end of this street.” However, some runs were so difficult that I had to tell myself, “Just make it to the next mailbox.” Mailboxes became a symbol of accomplishment to me.
Although training for the 5K was never easy, it was rewarding. I used my running time to listen to Contemporary Christian music, and soon running became a time of prayer and devotion. During my training, God taught me about strength, stamina and perseverance, and with His help I was able to completely run the 5K.
God does not promise that life as a Christian will be easy or problem-free. But we are reminded in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
The next time you are becoming weary as you run on the road of life, and you feel you are getting weary, ask God to help you focus on the next mailbox. Do not give up!
— Deborah Ard
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