The navigational system stated its directions clearly but I
wasn’t listening. I took an immediate right and headed east instead. I searched
for a way to make my wrong into a right but there were no connecting streets
and I couldn’t turn around. I was stuck taking the long route.
“Turn right in six
miles,” the re-calibrated navigational voice said. The ETA added ten minutes
and the total travel distance increased too but I before I had a moment to
consider the lost time a vision of hope appeared through the glass of the car’s
windshield. Running on the right side of the road I
didn’t’ intend to be taking I happened upon my runner friend chugging along.
My “runner friend” is an elderly gentleman who conducts his
exercise on busy streets in town. His gait is stiff and every step labored yet
he continues to move ahead. Rain, sleet and snow cannot deter him. He refuses
to give up. He keeps running, defeating obstacles both inside and out. In all
circumstances, my friend is determined to lace up his sneakers and run.
The wrong turn I made behind the wheel of my car added thirteen
minutes and three miles to the total trip but infinitely more hope was added to
my spiritual tank.
The vision of the runner pushing through his difficulty and
pain inspired me claim the final victory in all circumstances.
And that’s just what I did.
Fueled by Christ’s overcoming Spirit and eternal hope, I claimed
the victory over disease and defeat, laced up my sneakers and ran.
Turns out taking the long way was the perfect way for God to
get me running again.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
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