Dallas Marathon: Mile 10.

I was so done.

Out of gas with sixteen miles to go.

Training started as a prayer project for my son. He was going through Phase 1 of the first half of SEAL training. The weed out phase. Asking God to show me how to pray as he trained, I committed to training of my own.

I had also prayed for something else and—unknown to me—my answer was on the way.

Race day was warm for December. So warm I was dripping by Mile Two. By Mile Ten, I was due for some calories. I pulled out my granola bar—and I couldn’t do it. I’d eaten countless numbers of them during training, but today, even the thought of one made me sick. Literally.

Great. What now?

Gatorade became my fuel of choice. I staggered into a water station, grabbed a cup of Gatorade, and ran as far as it would take me.

Again and again.

For the next sixteen miles.

Not my best marathon.

After pouting for a few days, God weighed in. “Remember your prayer?”

Yep. I’d been praying God would teach me to draw life, strength, whatever the need, from Him instead of myself. Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell if it’s me or Him.

He continued. “I gave you an object lesson on race day. How do you draw from God? One cup of Gatorade at a time.”

A big grin spread across my face. I got it. And I quit pouting—immediately.

Deuteronomy 8: 16 (NIV) says: He [God] gave you manna to eat in the desert . . . to humble you and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.

The children of Israel had to admit their need. They also had to wait for God’s provision.

Every day.

For forty years.

Is it humbling to admit our need? Yes.

Does it test us to turn to Him rather than do it ourselves? Yes.

God desires our fellowship. Like manna in the wilderness, or Gatorade on the race course, He divvies out His grace, love, and peace in small portions.

The good news? Free refills.

Questions:

Describe life in your own strength.

Describe life in His.

Why does God want us to return for refills?

How does that make you feel?

Is it still hard to do even knowing He desires your companionship?

Tweetables:

How do you draw from God? One cup of Gatorade at a time. Click To Tweet
The children of Israel had to admit their need. They also had to wait for God's provision. Every day. For forty years. Click To Tweet
God desires our fellowship. Like manna in the wilderness, or Gatorade on the race course, He divvies out His grace, love, and peace in small portions. Click To Tweet
The good news? Free refills. Click To Tweet

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