She was panting but wouldn’t stop. “Keep going, DO NOT QUIT” she kept telling herself. Her body was screaming to take a break but she knew better—one second to take a break would turn into stopping all together. She kept going. One foot in front of the other. Gasping for air, feeling a panic starting to set in…”STOP IT!” she screamed to herself. ‘Keep going. It’s all worth it in the end. Forget the feeling of wanting to collapse…keep those feet moving. Go forward. Don’t look back, keep moving’. Her pace slowed but she didn’t’ stop. There was something blocking her running path ahead—no matter. Go around it or jump over it, she told herself. Just don’t quit.

Ever feel like this runner? Gasping for air, fatigue covering you like a wet blanket and you’re motivation is nowhere to be found? Ready to give up and stop going? Keep going! One foot in front of the other…keep it moving!!

I’ve noticed the big talk seems to be what everyone’s “Word of the Year” is. I wasn’t familiar with this concept until this year (I may have been under a rock, its true). At first I thought it was a cutsie way to reword New Year resolutions. But when I heard someone say we don’t just pick a word for ourselves–instead we pray and ask the Father to give us a word He wants us to focus on or realign our thoughts towards.

After thinking about this and praying about it…is this silly or is it truly a meaningful path we can walk with God? I realized something…Its really listening to our Father and His direction.  Its Him giving guidance to His kids. In our search for guidance and new beginnings (since it’s a new year), we turn our ears to be more in tune with His indications.

Many of you already know what your ‘word’ is for this year. What a great encouragement for kicking off new beginnings! If you don’t yet know about this or have a word, I encourage you to not give up. Keep asking the Father for your word…He loves to be personal with us and delights in us relying on Him.

If you haven’t guessed yet, my word was a surprise this year: its “RUN”. I wished I could say I embraced this word quickly. Nope…I kept asking God ‘Are you sure? Run? Me? But I’m tired…” you can guess my list of reasons why the word ‘run’ at first didn’t resonate with me. But on deeper prayer and talking with Him, I now see it differently.

I believe this word can mean something for you too.

 I can now see how it already applying to so many areas of my life—and scripture backs it up!

• Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
• run with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1)
• Don’t run dry (paraphrase from 1 Kings 17:16)
You still needed to require drivers ed to induce a licence before you turned eighteen. cheap cialis Asian countries have been using acupuncture for viagra online http://secretworldchronicle.com/characters/the-echo-organization/ centuries. We’re expecting this trend to continue blissfully throughout 2016 because the social media giants are trying their best to prevent their hair losses and restrict the further damages to their hair patterns. viagra purchase no prescription Accordingly, the Diuretic and anti-inflammatory pill is made best cialis online from herbs without any side effects and drug resistance. • I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. (Psalm 119:32)
• He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.(Psalm 147.15)
• When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. (Proverbs 4:12)
• The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
• but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
• You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7)

Ouch…that last one burned a little!

So I realize now that RUN can apply to us all in some aspect.

We don’t give up, no matter what the world tells us, how we may feel or how hard it looks ahead. We keep going. We have a different goal than others and our race, marked before us, is different for each one of us. The Father lays a route for each of us follow for our lives…we just have to respond.

I encourage you to pray about your ‘word’ for this new year if you haven’t yet. If you have, please share it in the comments and we can encourage one another! Keep me honest friends as I also fall off the wagon and want to give up sometimes—let’s keep each other running forward to what lies ahead.

Thank you Father for your encouragement for each of us.