I am here to admit I am not a runner. When I run, although I somewhat (on a very minuscule level) understand the “runners high”, I’m not sure I feel the pleasure of God. I sure wish I did, because if that was the case, I don’t think putting on my running shoes would be such a mountain of a task for me.
However, for the past two months I’ve been training to run a half-marathon in Dallas in six days. But before you label me completely insane, let me explain why I’ve been training to run 13.1 miles.
As Our Own is a “Christ-based, community-driven movement in India that rescues vulnerable children from certain enslavement and exploitation, caring for them as our own.” (I ripped that definition off their website.)
Recently, I feel like I can safely say, the awareness of human trafficking has gone from just a buzz, to a true cry. Through different ministries and stories we have become very aware and educated on all that is going on around us, even in our own backyard. I actually want to use the term “all” lightly because we don’t know all, we know pieces of the issues; But God does know all and He sees it all. However, being aware of it is one thing, acting on it is another.
That’s where As Our Own comes in. They have the ministry and people in place to do the work to free these girls, but they need our resources. God isn’t calling everyone to pick up and move to Nepal or India to open up an orphanage for kids who have been exploited, but He’s called us all to be a part of the solution by either going, giving or praying. The least we can do is give and pray.
As Our Own is doing a campaign called I Will Run. They’ve chosen 10 girls, 10 stories and 10 cities and are asking people to run for the freedom of these girls.
That alone is why I signed up to run the race. I want to be a part of the solution.
To be completely honest, training hasn’t been much of a joy for me this go around. It’s been slightly inconvenient and tiresome. Numerous times I’ve almost talked myself out of running for this excuse or that one. How embarrassing is that? I don’t tend to be the most competitive person, but I want to do things well and since I haven’t been able to do this well, I’ve wanted to duck out of the race. But the question isn’t really can I run, it’s will I?
No, I may not run all 13.1 miles. In fact, I can almost guarantee I will stop and walk a few times. Is that okay? Absolutely. I just keep reminding myself that whether it’s an eight minute mile or a 15 minute mile, it’s still a mile, and I’ll still cross that finish line to the glory of God and for the freedom and awareness of sweet Parul, the girl we’re running for.
I was telling my co-worker the other day that my Monday runs are always awful. I mean, really, just so bad. The reason for that is because I have no fuel for my run. If you spend a day fasting, then try and run four miles, it’s just going to be painful and pitiful. The same is true spiritually. How can we serve on an empty tank? The only way I can serve the Lord with excellence and love Him with my heart, soul, mind and strength is by giving my soul food, which is His Word. Otherwise I’ll come up dry and empty.
I want these girls to grow up loving and serving Jesus Christ with everything in them, but that can only happen if they’re being fed and taught the Word of God; As Our Own is doing just that, and then some.
My church, Bayou City Fellowship, has a team of runners and we have a goal to raise $15,000 for this race. We have six days left and we still have half of our goal left to raise. I need you to know that I hate asking for money. It's just not my thing and I don't want anyone to feel any pressure, but I also don't want this run to be in vain because I couldn't humble myself to ask for your support. The goal of this race isn't just for me to cross the finish line, it's both to make people aware of what As Our Own is currently doing and to support them financially to free to some girls.
With that said, I also want you to know that you can be a part of the story, friends. If you feel the Lord pressing upon you to give to our team (and please know As Our Own gets every last penny), you can go here to donate to our team, or click on my page to donate to my portion of the run. Either way, the team, myself and As Our Own appreciates and is thankful you might even consider giving.
The other day on Pinterest I saw a quote about not always seeing eye to eye with running, I laughed because I get that, we don’t always see eye to eye. It said, “Not everything that is good for you always feels good for you.” Amen. Running doesn’t always feel good, but it is good. Being challenged doesn’t always feel good, but it is good. Spending time alone with the Lord doesn’t always feel good, but it is good. Sacrifice doesn’t always feel good, but it is good.
Freedom, however, does feel good, and it is good, so let’s put or resources, bodies and minds (I say minds because half the battle is mental) to work and free some girls in Jesus’ name. Your support, whether through prayer or financially means the world to us! Thank you so much.
The other day on Pinterest I saw a quote about not always seeing eye to eye with running, I laughed because I get that, we don’t always see eye to eye. It said, “Not everything that is good for you always feels good for you.” Amen. Running doesn’t always feel good, but it is good. Being challenged doesn’t always feel good, but it is good. Spending time alone with the Lord doesn’t always feel good, but it is good. Sacrifice doesn’t always feel good, but it is good.
Freedom, however, does feel good, and it is good, so let’s put or resources, bodies and minds (I say minds because half the battle is mental) to work and free some girls in Jesus’ name. Your support, whether through prayer or financially means the world to us! Thank you so much.
A portion of our group running from Bayou City Fellowship.
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