Mud, Sweat and Cheers

Once upon a time, (or to be more exact, two weeks ago), I was challenged by new friends to participate in a mud run obstacle course. I have never been one to turn down a challenge. :) So your girl embraced the cool mud on a hot summer afternoon. Was I a little nervous? Yes! Did friends give me tips and encouragement? Definitely. Did I enjoy it? I did! It was liberating and a source of fun. However, I will admit that it took nearly four showers to get mud-free. No exaggeration! I was picking mud out of my ears for days. Haha-

My mind travels from the messy mud run to the obstacles in this messy race of life. Both can be challenging, but both can be rewarding. Here are a few reminders for today.

Life is full of new experiences and risks. You can say no, but if you dare to say yes, you will find value in the confidence that comes with the challenge. It is essential to occasionally step outside your daily routine, as it is life-giving to try new things. You are never too young or old to embrace the challenges of a mud run or the challenges of this life. Keep saying yes! Keep moving forward—step outside of your comfort zone. Experience new things.

You can find joy even in your messy situations. As we ran our course, with mud between our toes and coating our hair, smiles of embracing the chaos and enjoying the unpredictability spread across our faces. There were shared moments of joy found in the accomplishment of overcoming the obstacles. Strangers gave helping hands. The strong helped the weak. Gentlemen pulled ladies over the climbing walls. There was a spirit of camaraderie and teamwork. There was joy to be found in camaraderie while in the mess.

I believe if one can find joy in a mud race, one can find joy in the messy moments of one's daily life. There is always joy to be found when we look for it. Look for the good in your mess. Thank God for your blessings and praise Him loudly. Remind yourself that no matter how hard today is, our Lord gives new mercies every day. Lamentations reads, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never end. They are new every morning." Even on your most difficult days, Christ's love will never stop, and His mercies will never end. Often, struggles cause us to lean a little harder and deeper on the Lord. If you grow in your relationship with Him, even the most difficult things become worth the hardships.

As believers, when we cross the finish line of life, there will be rejoicing! At my mud run, as we ascended to the top of the mud wall and crossed the finish line, there were high-fives and praise! My mind travels to the high fives and celebrations of heaven. One day, we will have finished the race of life. One day, we will move from here to heaven. We will see our Lord and Savior and those who have gone before us. I long to hear my Lord say, "Well done and welcome home!" How about you?

Whatever race you are running today, try new things. Find joy in this messy life, as you look forward to heaven. Run your race well; it will be worth it! And as you do, marinate on Phillipians 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."