Moving forward

I am a goal-oriented person.  I love to finish things and cross them off my to-do list.  I love the feeling of accomplishment I get when things are DONE.  Maybe that's why I love running.  There is a goal and an end and I always get there...somehow I always reach home again.  Unfortunately, life is not like running.  It's a years-long journey that sometimes feels like standing still or even moving backwards.

In one of my favorite books, Marshall Ulrich writes about running across America in 56 days at the age of 57.  Toward the end of his journey, all he could think about was putting one foot in front of the other; moving forward toward the goal.  Most days when I am running, I have to think that way for the first 2 miles...just keep moving forward and putting one foot in front of the other.  After 2 miles, I find my groove, pick up my pace, and lengthen my stride.  I feel like I could run forever...maybe because the end is in sight!  The goal is near!

My point is that sometimes the goal seems far-off.  The journey is long, hard, and painful.  Discouragement sets in and slows me down.  I just have to keep moving in the right direction, even if I'm only taking baby steps.  Stopping is not an option!  Little steps in the right direction still count as making progress and growing and learning.  I want to be able to say, "I am fighting the good fight, I am finishing the race, I am keeping the faith!"  (2 Timothy 4:7)