Day 2 – The Climb

Day 2

I think day 2 should come with a warning. For all who embark on this journey, you will be attacked by Satan. If your true intent is to grow closer to God – not only will you be tested, but there will be gigantic potholes along the road with the sole purpose of derailing ANY progress you might make. Knowing the warning and understanding it, you can proceed with your day.

I started my day with one friend angry with me for a reason I didn't fully understand. Then, another dear friend told me how I had not been a good friend to her. Then yet another friend asked me when I stopped being thin – which caused me to question all morning if I was obese – which I am not. My husband got mad at me, my children were frustrated with me and I felt like I could not do anything right. To top off the experience, some woman hit on me at the store. Then, my best friend who has been struggling with a health problem that is undiagnosed began to tremor for no reason. I began to pray and realized so many things. Life is so precious and we take our health for granted. I really struggled a number of years ago with feeling so incredibly ill. It went undiagnosed for 2 ½ years and I felt helpless. I really wish I could take my best friend's illness and yet I know that she is drawing closer to God in the process. When we are left with nothing but prayer, we rely solely on our prayers and time with God. Each moment seems endless and the clock doesn't seem to tick by fast enough. There are moments when I wish I could do that time period over and just pray incessantly instead of wishing the time away. The time with God no matter what the situation has such clarity if we really want to listen.

Today, I decided to do my mile on the exercise bike. Now, I knew that a mile wouldn't take long that way and I wanted to do a minimum time limit so I knew I would do more than a mile. In order to make it hard for myself, I decided to take the bike to the highest difficulty level and then pick the program called Pikes Peak. For those of you who don't know what Pikes Peak is, then go look it up in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I started at level 16 and went up from there and it was so difficult. At first, the climb wasn't too bad but with each passing minute, the incline got higher and higher to the point that I was pouring sweat and my legs were burning. It was such a strain at the top of the mountain and everything in me wanted to quit. I tried singing a song of praise to God – in my head of course because I had no breath left.

Then, God put in my head and heart about how hard the climb is in life and how we so desperately want to quit. Just when we think we have nothing left, He comes along and gives us the final push that we need to make it over the top. He truly does bridge the gap. When we are weak, He shows His strength through us. In fact, that truly is the time that He shows His glorious power because clearly it would not ever be us being capable by ourselves.

This assignment has brought joy to my face when I think about how God wants to draw closer to me. I will not lie – the thought of being attacked on a regular basis is a little frightening. I know that God will win out every time –but the process is beyond scary. Satan likes to hit buttons that hurt. I have a feeling I will find where I am weakest as I know that is usually where Satan likes to step in.

Lord, I ask that you be my strength and my breath when I am breathless. Help me to be strong and not give Satan a foothold ANYWHERE. I am so incredibly thankful to have this time with you and even though I am not crazy about the exercise component, I see the direct correlation as to why you having me do this. Thank you for blessing me so richly with your wisdom and working through me despite my weaknesses. I have so far to go….thank you for helping to refine my heart. Protect my heart from the battle that lies before me. Go before me and light my path so I might learn what you need me to learn. Holy Spirit – continue to fill me and guide my life.

Day 2 down and only 98 to go…whew!