"We were saved with this hope in mind. If we hope for something we already see, it's not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen? But if we hope for what we don't see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." Romans 8:24-25, God's Word Translation I'm not sure how far you've ever run, but last weekend was the furthest I'd ever gone. Saturday morning found me on an early morning drive to Slippery Rock, PA where a friend and fellow staff member, Josh, was holding a run. The temperature was already getting up there when I arrived at 8 o'clock. After some stretching, preemptive pain relievers and a much-needed prayer, we headed off up the road. To be more precise, we were headed towards a rock. Not just any rock, mind you. This rock (albeit smaller than my imagination initially concocted), was the rock that became famous at the hands of some cross-country runners from SRU. You see, it was an elite group of individuals each year who made the run out to the rock and back. A 14.2-mile endeavor, it wasn't everybody's cup of tea. But the beauty in getting to run all that way is that you don't have to do it alone. So we started running. And talking. About life and work and hot mornings and hilarious trips and how far it was to the next cup of water. It never ceases to take my mind off the pavement pounding when I get caught up in a good conversation. As a non-athlete, it still amazes me how a good run can clear the mind; I never really understood how it worked for some folks before. Somewhere between the rock and the ski lodge (where we finished), we talked about hope. Knowing that there is an end, but not exactly what it will look or feel like when we arrive. We've been promised that we'll make it there, though we don't know by what means. And even though the road looks like its never going to stop, it will. Even though we don't know the hills and gentle slopes and slightly narrow sections of each road we run, it doesn't stop us from running. Instead, it gives us excitement - a reason to hope! If we knew all that would unfold, would we continue to the finish? More than likely, no. Who would finish if they knew the pain involved? But we hope for what is not seen and wait for it, taking it stride by stride, knowing that there is joy in the journey. We have a hope set aside in our hearts that motivates us, moves us forward, keeps us from getting stuck - whether that's in a rut in life or in the middle of a cornfield during a run. Truth be told, I didn't run the whole way. Some walking was involved and the last hill just wasn't in my cards for the day. Yet my joy was secure - having run my farthest distance ever and with friends, to boot! And I continue to hope for what tomorrow will bring, for in hoping I can continue to move forward and closer to the God I love.
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