reflections on lent

So, I realized I never actually finalized my thoughts on my whole "Lent" running experience.  If I didn't give a re-cap and share what I learned through it all, I feel like it would be anti-climactic.  Therefore, here are my concluding thoughts...

-We always under-estimate what we are truly capable of.  If you were to tell me at the beginning of my 40 days that I would be able to run 5 miles by the time it was all said and done, I would have never believed you.  However, that is exactly what happened.  I have seen this process occur time and time again in my life.  From writing excessively long research papers to moving to a new city and starting over again to running a full marathon, I have found myself taking actions I didn't believe I would ever possibly be able to do.  Thanks be to God for His strength to carry through the tough times of discipline and perseverance!

-You HAVE to push through sometimes.  The initial energy you feel at the onset of a big undertaking will often wane.  You can't let yourself get bogged down in the lack of "feeling" or motivation.  You absolutely have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I think this comes in to play often in our spiritual walks.  Especially in our generation, there is such a disdain for "going through the motions."  We want to be motivated by feeling, not obligation.  Yet, there are times when we simply have to press forward.  In the life of a Christian, there is a need for discipline and regularity because it forces us to continue to move, even when we don't "feel" like it.

-We need to create more "space" in our lives.  Running was a time that allowed me to get away.  I could think, pray, or just zone out.  I listened to music, noticed my surroundings, and could spend time with God.  It wasn't always this spiritual emphasis, but there was availability for it to happen.  We too often clutter our lives with the material--work, friends, family, and the busyness of life--that we don't leave space for anything else.  We need time to get away from the demands of life and just "be."

Overall, I had a very positive Lenten experience this year.  It's always nice to place ourselves outside of the usual routine and allow things to get changed up in our lives.  Although I would never say that my running experiment was anything symbolic or parallel to Christ's sacrifice in His last 40 days on earth, it definitely was a beneficial instrument in my walk with Him.  And as Easter reminds us, it's definitely not over yet!  "He who began a good work" in my life is continuing to develop me. So, let the journey continue...