What I Saw While Running in the Dark

I run early every morning. I run a 3-mile trail that goes out my front door a mile and a half and then back again. I’ve been walking and running this route for about 6 months now and I know it well. There are landmarks along the way, and I know how long it should take me to get to each point for a good run.

 There are streetlights at both ends of my run, but no light for the majority of the distance. As the days shorten, I am running in the dark, so I run with a headlight that is aimed at the ground about ten feet in front of me. The main goal is to not trip and fall! I’ve discovered that since I am running ten feet at a time instead of landmark to landmark, my runs seem to be easier. I used to think, "I have to run past the next bridge, then I can walk some" or "If I can make it to the turn-around...". Running with my headlight, I can’t see those places until I get there, so I’m just trying to run ten feet at a time. As long as my light is just in front of me, I seem to be able to keep going.

 I think there is some spiritual application in this for me, too. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path." If I knew the whole path that God had for my life, I don’t know that I would be able to run that race. I would probably decide that I don’t have the strength for the whole journey and either give up completely or back off on the whole goal. As long as He gives me just enough "lamp for my feet" and "light to my path", I can keep going without discouragement.



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