I wrote this for Central's Family Ministries Team Member email (wow . . .that was long). I wanted to share it with you. It might help personally and with your team!!
A Marathon is 26.2 miles. Before I ever ran a marathon I thought that the .2 miles was just a simple formality. I thought to myself, “Chris, the race is really 26 miles.” The first time I ran a marathon, I quickly realized how difficult that last “.2 miles” are! I was so close, yet so far. My legs felt like Jell-O – the mental aspect had blitzed my mind – and my body was wanting to shut down. Yet I still had “.2 miles” left. Mentally – it killed me. The second time I ran a marathon I took a different approach. When I hit the 26 mile mark I used the “.2 miles” to reflect. I reflected about my training. I reflected about the excitement I felt at the starting line. I reflected about the good hearted fans that screamed “you are almost there” at mile 16. (Seriously . . .you are not almost there when you still have 10.2 miles left!) I reflected about the 78 year old that past me at mile 13. He had a sign on his back that read, “I am 78 and I have ran 114 marathons.” Now, that’s inspiring.
We, as a team, are in the .2 miles of our 2008-2009 ministry marathon. I am sure I am not the only one who is tired – both physically and mentally! So I encourage you . . .keep running and finish strong! You still have .2 miles left. But as you run, spend this time reflecting about this amazing ministry year! God has done so much in the lives of kids – students – parents! Reflecting will keep your attention off of you – your pains and aches – and focused on what God has done over this past ministry season.
(If you don't believe that I ran a marathon . . .this is me crossing the Las Vegas Marathon's finish line!)
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