5k Faith

So...

Faith is a tricky thing when you look at it from different angles or perspectives. The strength of my faith in God continues to grow. After our AIA meeting yesterday (Tuesday) I felt great. I knew that God wanted me to run and continue to chase my dreams in the sport of Track and Field. I left the meeting and went home knowing that I was ready to go for this weekend. Saturday is my first race and I will be running the 5k at the All Ohio Championships at Kent State. I knew I had the support of teammates, friends, my coach, and Him. With their love and faith in me I knew I could succeed.

The hardest thing for me has always been my faith in myself. I never have a problem working hard and doing what I need to. But when it comes time to race, or prove myself, or whatever you want to call it, I always stagger in my belief in myself. Today I have been going through some of that. And this afternoon on my run I think I started to figure out what my problem has been. I know that I have all this external support and I am extremely grateful for all of it. But then when it comes time to put it all to use I neglect His support. I tell myself "I'm going to do this" or "I can succeed on my own." Instead I should be saying "Thank you for the help and support, lets do this!" I forget the help and pretend like I can do it all alone when I should be grateful and accepting of what everyone does for me.

We all have times where we are stressed and complain about the burdens on our shoulders. I feel like I go through them a lot. And who do I go to for help.... well its 2 people. Usually the first person that has to listen to my problems is my wonderful girlfriend. She puts up with so much complaining. Mostly about running when I'm down (sometimes other issues though). And mostly what she tells me is, "Ricky, you're gonna be fine." My thoughts about that are usually, how does she know, or why can't she come up with something better than that!? But every time she tells me the same thing, "Ricky, it's going to be okay, it will work out... I know it."

You know it, how do you know it??? The reason that she knows is simple... FAITH. She has faith in me. She knows that I will work through the problems the world has presented me. Shes willing to help me get through them if I can't do it alone. With her helps and help from the Lord she is completely right... it will always work out.

The second person I turn to in times like these is the Lord. I definitely don't turn to him enough though. Sometimes I think of the Lord as a last resort for problems. So if I can't get it taken care of I will ask the Lord to step in. It is all wrong to do it that way. The Lord is there to support me. My faith in him should be a pillar in my life, not a scaffolding.

With all this help and support I hope to have greater faith in myself to move forward in my life. I would like to use this faith to praise God through my race this weekend. "To God be the Glory!"

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Stay strong in your faith,
Ricky