Today I went for a run with God
One of the many things I love about Autumn...
Beautiful Fall Runs.
I love running, and lately I've been running a lot.
I decided about 4 weeks ago that I wanted to run a half marathon (I've always wanted to- and now I have the time to do it since life is in a bit of limbo waiting for visa stuff)
And what's really nice, is England has been unusually sunny the past few weeks!
God loves me. :)
Anyways, the reason I wanted to share about my runs, is because today I really felt God with me as I ran, and encouraging me in what I'm currently going through in life.
Again, the visa process is a lot more complicated, a lot more stressful, and a lot more expensive that we thought it would be. But with the stress, comes fear. There is a lot of uncertainty in what we are facing, and we are hoping and praying a priority appointment will be available in perfect timing, allowing me to only have to go to America for 3 weeks, and not 3 months.
I can barely imagine being away from Shanen 3 weeks, but the thought of a possible 3 months is terrifying and breaks my heart! But, again, that's fear creeping in.
Every time those thoughts come I have to remind myself that God is in control and I am in His hands. My Life is in his hands, and my marriage is in His hands.
And I trust Him.
I was journaling about this subject this morning, and praying about things and kept hearing God speak that He would go before me, and is my rear guard.
He's been saying this a lot, and I know in my heart it comes from the Bible, so I decided to look it up.
I found it in Isaiah 58:8-
"Then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up speedily;
Your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord is your rear guard"
I know the verse says my righteousness- but all righteousness I have has been given to me by God, because I am His child. Therefore, My righteousness is His- and it all goes before me.
He goes before me, and His glory is my rear guard.
All my trust is in this right now, and this is where I'm constantly bringing my mind back to when it tries to fear, and especially when I just feel like crying.
(...back to today's run)
As I went running this morning, I felt drawn to listen to Steffany Gretzinger's album.
This is very unusual because my runs are usually fueled by dance and hip hop music.
I love my hip hop :)
As I ran the first song was called Out of Hiding, and again I felt God's presence as I ran.
I love the lyrics as well- and ironically it talks about throwing off fear and running to God.
Then I passed this family of swans.
I had just heard God speak that morning that He would go before me, and be my rear guard.
I felt Him remind me this again as I ran past this swan family- one parent swimming ahead of the child, and one behind.
After 2 miles I turned to run home, and passed this boat that was named the "Jubilee Bridge".
Again I was reminded of something God had spoken to me, although several years ago...
It was right before I moved to England, (I was still trying to decide if it was the right decision) and I got a prophecy about being a bridge between America and England. (This was before I met Shanen)
I know the Jubilee year just ended this month- and now we are on a new year.
But I felt to look up Jubilee when I got home- especially bc I had the bridge prophecy and that 'bridge' (my marriage) was formed in the year of Jubilee. :)
Jubilee is a year of emancipation and restoration. Emancipation in the process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions. Liberation.
I felt God with me through this whole run, as He highlighted things to keep speaking to my heart-
Trust Me.
He is bigger than this situation- and no matter what happens, He is where my trust lies.
I really wanted to write this all down in my journal- but I felt to write it as a blog post instead and share it with you.
I hope this post brings you encouragement as well- in two ways...
One: no matter what you are facing right now, and what the enemy is using to bring fear into your mind: God has got this, and He uses ALL things for good. We have to trust.
And Two: God is Everywhere. He is in us, and He is around us. He is in the Bible, and in Nature. He is in creativity, and He is in fitness.
We can spend time with Him wherever we are because we are connected to our creator- We just need to take the time to be still and listen... even if 'being still' is on a 4 mile run. ;)
Hope you have an amazing Friday.
You are a blessing, Camille! Thank you for your post and your honesty. I wanted to use the word 'Transparency' but I wasn't sure it might not be considered insulting. (I have a problem finding the correct words often). I think what I wanted to say was 'Authentic'. Yes. That was it. I love reading your posts. I find them liberating and life-affirming. I shall pray your visa application goes without any hitches. Bless you both! God's already got your future sorted!!!!!
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