ONE FOOT AFTER ANOTHER: Finding Strength for the Christian Journey

"Wait. I think this is a trail race?"

My friend pointed out the fine print I missed on the brochure, but I didn't want to believe it.

"No way. This one will be easy. Why else would they call it the "Old Farts” marathon?”

But two miles deep into the woods, dodging branches and tree roots, reality set in. I no longer dreamed of winning; now I hoped to survive.

As muscles burned and the path narrowed, I berated myself.

Who did I think I was? Maybe I was never meant to run at all.

That's when I saw him up ahead in the distance—his wispy white head bowed in determination, fists pumping, feet shuffling.

Poor old guy! I assumed he ignored the fine print, too.

But to my surprise, the tenacious veteran knew exactly what he was doing. He didn’t whine about how hard it was; he kept his head down and kept going.

He and his grit became my focus.

Hours later, I emerged from the woods sore, scraped, sweaty, but satisfied that I hadn't quit.

I hadn’t merely survived; I triumphed.

Despite my ignorance.

Regardless of my inexperience.

Even though I couldn’t follow the map.

I was given a medal for putting one foot in front of the other until the end.

AMAZING.

In the same way,  God calls us to a trail race that’s not easy.

To follow Jesus is to choose a narrow, winding path through life. 

There are times when it’s all uphill and we can’t find our footing. But with our eyes glued on Jesus, we find new strength to carry on.

Following Jesus is worth the sweat and tears.

Because a miracle occurs between your first step of faith and the last leap of joy into His arms.

You emerge from the journey changed; you become who you were meant to be.

Following Jesus isn't a quick sprint out of church on Sundays; it's about going the distance with Him. Morning by morning, step by step, you choose His way over yours.

As Erika Kirk so beautifully said, “But you must choose to mark your soul again and again in the direction of Christ.”

Leave easy street, lace up your shoes, pick up your cross, and keep going until the resurrection.

"Let us throw off everything that hinders...and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

One glorious day, we’ll cross the finish line, and our running days will be over. We’ll see Jesus face to face and receive a victor’s crown.

Until that day, let’s keep running after Jesus.

One foot after another, let’s press on.