RESOLVED! "Resolved" means "to already deal with; to already reach a firm decision." This morning I had a planned 90-minute run. When I got up, I didn't FEEL like running. My feet were sore; my hip was sore. Drizzling rain was falling from the sky, and the wind was brutal! My circumstances were out of my control, and they were not very good circumstances for me. RESOLVED! Last night, I looked in my journal. At the top of the page, I had written the word "RESOLVED!" I looked down at the week of February 26 through March 4, and I had one more run to complete: a 90-minute run.
This morning, I hit the road. I knew that I could not control the weather. I knew that I could not control the minor pains in my feet and my hip. However, I could control my mind...my attitude...my effort! I prayed a lot. I worshiped a lot. For most of my run this morning, the wind never stopped. Most of the time it was pushing against my body, but a few times I turned and used the wind to my advantage. Even more amazing was what happened around the 80-minute mark. All of a sudden the clouds gave way to some beautiful, bright, and warn sunshine. The wind calmed down, almost to a standstill for my last 10 minutes or so. Just as I was thanking God during the difficult circumstances, I began thanking God during the better circumstances. I continued to worship.
This was about my running. This was also not about my running. God shows me so many truths in His Word, and He shows me so many truths out here in the world. He speaks to me in the running and with the running. Today was just as much spiritual for me as it was physical. I love what Daniel 1:8 says, "But Daniel RESOLVED not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked for permission not to deflie himself this way." In other words, Daniel had already made up his mind; Daniel had already dealt with his decision; Daniel had already reached a firm decision. He was going to honor God and glorify God no matter the circumstances. And we, in fact, see him do that throughout the book of Daniel. Paul says in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." I needed those words today. I needed these truths today. And I will need these words and truths each day that God gives me on this earth. Yes, today was about my running, and yes, today was not about my running. I thank God for what He shows me. I thank God for the opportunities He gives me, for the starting lines, for the finish lines, and for all the in-betweens!
