Saturday, March 3, 2012

"Pressing for the Prize"

I used this title because it was what we talked about at Titus 2 Women's meeting this morning.  Our scripture to memorize was Phillippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I do not count myself as apprehended.  But this one thing I do:  Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Well, as you can imagine, we used running as an allegory, just like Paul did. 
  • Forget the past.
  • Forget the bad.
  • Forget the good.
  • Forget successes (Don't rest on your laurels---there is more yet to be accomplished.)
  • Where is your focus?
  • Are you focusing your efforts toward the prize that awaits at the end, or are you too content watching other people's efforts?
  • Are you training regularly and working out in the daily disciplines of the Christian life?
  • Are you properly fueling your body with sleep, nutrition, and exercise for maximum results?
  • Focus on the present.
  • Press on!
First layers of clothing
(Thanks, Steph!)
Here's my life application:   Just because I have that cool little 13.1 oval on the back of our van doesn't me that I can just glory in that.  I need to train for another half marathon. 

Which brings me to the pictures.
  • Today I was supposed to run 6 miles (I'm training for a half in April).
  • I wanted to run outside.
  • It was very cold and windy outside.
  • I convinced myself that if I just did at least 2 miles, it would be good.  After all, I haven't run outside at all over the winter.
  • My son texted me that he had run 4 miles today. I thought, "I can't have him out-do me!"
  • Last layers of clothing
    (Thanks, Lisa, for the mask. 
    It worked great)
  • While I was running, I kept pushing myself, and I thought, "I can make it to 4 miles."  "I can make it to 5 miles."  "I CAN make it to 6 miles."  And I did!
YEA ME!  (Ok, it was a slooooooooooooow 6 miles....but at least I did it and it's a start!)
All done with the 6 miles!