"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12.1-3

in the fall, we were two miserable students sitting in anthropology class attempting to occupy the lecture time with anything but what the professor wanted to say so, we began reading a blog. it's the story of libby ryder and her battle against cancer. since september, God has used libby's story to awaken in us a realization of the story he has written for our own lives. libby has shown us what it means to set our eyes on Jesus and run, with reckless abandonment, into the arms of the Father. libby's friend angie has decided to run a half marathon in celebration of the end of libby's chemo and, lord willing, her cancer. following libby's example, we are joining in the celebration. we. are. not. runners. we are scared. we are full of doubts. but, we are inspired. the past year has been full of triumphs and tribulations for us, too. this is a physical representation of us throwing off everything that has hindered and entangled- pain, heartache, doubt, shame- and running to Jesus and basking in his grace. this run is for libby. this run if for freedom. our only hope is that He will be glorified.

"Let us hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have broken rejoice!" Psalm 51.8

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

tears.

day two. i keep repeating this but, we're really doing this. we made our blog "live" tonight (after giving some people a sneak peek this afternoon). i'm excited. i want people to know our hearts. to know the story that God is writing. i want people to be inspired. by our struggle and by libby's story. i want people to have a passion for running after Jesus.
i was ready to run today. it was beautiful outside. sunny. light breeze. and after 5 mins, i was hurting. but then this song came on:

"lord i have a heavy burden of all i've seen and know
it's more than i can handle
but your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and i can’t let it go

and when i'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

i think of paul and silas in the prison yard
i hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
and when the Saints go marching in
i want to be one of them

lord it's all that i can't carry and cannot leave behind
it all can overwhelm me
but when i think of all who've gone before and lived a faithful life
their courage compels me"
-When the Saints, by Sara Groves (click to listen)
and then the tears came. eyes welling up with tears i realized: the Holy Spirit is here. this is worship. through this running we are giving thanks. literally offering our bodies as living sacrifices. "burning like a fire shut up in my bones" i definitely felt. but, it was beautiful.
the tears quickly subsided. but the goosebumps stayed for the rest of the run. my body was aching but my soul was f r e e. (hence the fistpumps han talked about) then we came to the hill right before my house. the hill that sucked yesterday. and today i looked at hannah and said, "for freedom"
...and we sprinted.
compelled by the courage of those who have gone before us,
Julia



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