Cheri Strange, Christian Speaker and Author

I love to run slowly. It helps me endure and thrive through the chaos in my world. In times of intense personal issues and strains, running outside for long periods has given me time to pray, be by myself, and work "whatever" through with the Lord.

A few years ago, during a time in my life when I was emotionally empty and spiritually needy, I trained for a marathon and finished the race. Afterwards I felt such a freedom from the burdens I had carried because I had spent hours and hours praying while I ran those training miles by myself. Finishing 26.2 miles also boosted my self-esteem. I ran for FIVE hours! I was crying and unsure whether or not I was about to wet my pants -- but I finished it! I didn't know I could get this B-team quality at best -- body to go so far and to push past what I thought I could do. It was hard for me. But I did it. 

Completing such a difficult personal feat did more for my mental perceptions of my own limits than anything I had done before. I really COULD do more than I thought. I could push myself beyond what I thought was possible. And I could complete a task that was clearly beyond me.

This week a year ago, I ran another marathon. While I was training, I continued to think about what it would do for my spiritual life if I put as much effort, energy, and training into my relationship with God. This year, I am trading my physical running for spiritual training. 

Like training for a physical marathon, I have a plan. I'm going to spend the same amount of time I would have spent running to read my Bible, do personal Bible study, memorize the Word, and get by myself to pray. Basic training for a First-Timer is 16 weeks. You run three short runs and then a long run on the weekend. Each week the number of miles varies, but the weekend runs increase by a mile or two. To make the math easier, each mile will represent 10 minutes. So, for example, if I'm scheduled to run 3 miles, I will train spiritually for 30 minutes.

I'm going to start May 1st (THIS SUNDAY) and finish August 27 (LAST Saturday of the month). That's a week or so longer than the 16 weeks, but it gives me a little freedom to manipulate the schedule for family vacations, etc. Just like my physical training, I decide which days of the week are the best to squeeze in a run and write on a calendar what I'm supposed to do. If I miss a run or two --- I DON'T QUIT. I just skip it and keep going.

So here's the challenge: Please Join Me!!! If nothing else, you'll have bragging rights! "Honey, give Mommy some alone time, I'm training for a marathon, here!" --without breaking a sweat! What could be better? 

What could be better is that we will be more spiritually fit than we have ever been! We will be refreshed; renewed; re-filled; released; and recharged. I really, really NEED this! 

Start thinking about what you would do if you MADE time to spend with the Lord. I'm gathering a couple of non-fiction books as well as 2 six-week Bible studies I want to do. Understand -- I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS. I'm choosing to make time. I'm scheduling it and discussing my plans with my family. I'll post my plan later this week. I hope you will come.