Super Cool Surprise!

Today something happened that surprised me in a super cool way.

I decided that I needed to take my workout cloths to work, put them on at the end of my shift and head out the door and go jog.

The reason I made this decision was a logical one. Ever since I have been working a daytime shift, I have found that by the time I get home, after battling the traffic, something inevitably would come up that I needed to do for one of the kids or something, and I would just end up missing my workout. I have pretty much dwindled down to only working out about 3 or 4 times a week. Anyone who knows me knows that is NOT ENOUGH.

Working out, and jogging in particular, is part of my “medicine,” friends. It, like time spent with Jesus in prayer and His word is not an option. Believe me, I have tried to find the way not to have to work out six times a week – I’m just as lazy inside as the next guy – it can’t happen. That’s another story, but take my word for it.

So, back to the cool thing that happened.

I found myself running these trails outside of my work – completely new territory for me. Lots of hills, winding, and unknown ground for me to cover. And yes, there were about two times in this 45 minute run that I did have to stop and catch my breath for about 30 seconds – that’s for sure. But, I was pleasantly surprised as to how easy this run was in comparison to what I normally was doing around my house.

I pondered this driving home – although I am thrilled to death at this nice little surprise, why in the world would this have been easier for me? The route I run at home is not perfectly easy by any means, but it is nowhere near as difficult (hilly and windy) as this one today was!

Here is what I think made it easier:

The not knowing what was in store for me, friends.

I normally don’t like change at first. I have to acclimate, find my bearings, get my structure to hang onto within the lack of structure – then, and only then, can I manage through change in a great way!

But not knowing what I was in for today actually really helped this run go well, I think. See, so often, when we stay in our comfort zones and follow the easy or well-known path through life, we think it will be a piece of cake. But not so!

See, I know what parts in my “normal” jogging route are going to be horrible for me. I know that path like the back of my hand. I know exactly where the hill is going to be that makes me stop, exactly where the turn is that hurts my knee. I know where the bad parts are.

But when I stepped out of the known into the unknown today, I didn’t know what I was in for, and it was hard, but I didn’t know any better – I didn’t know when to brace myself for the icky stuff.

Sometimes, not knowing what to expect can really help us out. It especially does so when we involve God. I prayed several times today for God to keep me to my word…that I would go jog after work, no excuses! That He would show me what route to take and help me to do well. He delivered.

I’m not saying to always go the different way for everything all the time for the sake of change – that could become a false idol of sorts too, you know? But, if you are in a rut, and the Lord is leading you to obey Him, follow His lead.

For me, the obedience part was in being willing to take my workout gear to work and be disciplined a few times a week to ensure I get those workouts in. Not only did He help me follow through with that today, but He blessed me extra with a super cool surprise.

His path is the narrow one, and is the one He leads us to take when He sees fit. We must be willing to bend and be flexible and discerning as to where He would have us go. Then, the rest is up to Him.

Don’t know what will happen when I next run this route…maybe I will switch up directions, and maybe not. But I am looking forward to whatever the Lord has in store for me. Because no matter what, I am running to Him, not away from Him.

God never changes, never wavers, and never fails to remain faithful to we who seek after Him. But we do need to change in order to obey Him, become more like Him, and remain in His perfect will for us. If we do so  according to how He leads us, we are blessed more abundantly than we ever thought possible!

And that is super DUPER cool!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

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