Blessings,
MONDAY ENCOURAGEMENT
Recently, I had the chance to spend time with my daughter while she completed her last rotation for school. Her housing was close to the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, so most mornings I would head out for a run along the river.
It quickly became one of my favorite places to run.
The water felt so peaceful. Every morning I saw people walking and running, and I kept looking at a tall bridge nearby. Finally, one morning I decided, I’m going to run across that bridge.
I’m so glad I did.
From the top, I could look down and watch the river flowing below me. One morning, I even saw dolphins.
But something on the other side of the river caught my attention.
Two bronze statues stood there—a man and a woman, both runners. I found myself especially drawn to the woman. There was something about seeing her there, captured in motion, that stayed with me.
As I ran back across the water that morning, I began thinking about the race God has given each of us to run.
The older I get, the more important God’s purpose has become to me. I don’t simply want to fill my days with things to do. I want to spend them doing what He has called me to do.
Ephesians 2:10 says:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
Think about that for a moment.
You are His workmanship.
You were wonderfully made by God, and your life has purpose. But I love that Scripture doesn’t stop with how we were made. It reminds us that God has prepared good works for us to walk in.
And Jesus tells us something else:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…”
—John 15:16 (ESV)
Chosen. Appointed. Go.
Maybe our purpose isn’t always something big or visible. Maybe today it looks like loving your family well. Showing up faithfully at your job. Encouraging the woman God puts in your path. Caring for someone who needs you. Serving quietly. Taking the next step God has placed in front of you.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (ESV)
Not someone else’s race.
The race set before us.
I love doing life. But more and more, I realize that I don’t want to simply do life. I want to run the race God has for me.
So maybe this Monday is a good time to ask:
What has God called you to do?
What has He placed on your heart? Who has He placed in your life to love? Where is He asking you simply to be faithful?
I’m praying for you today—that God will direct your steps and help you see the purpose He has placed right in front of you.
Keep running your race.
Hugs and Blessings,
Rhonda
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