5k Every Day in the Month of May 2017 (Day 2)
What a beautiful day for a morning run! It was 33 degrees up here in the Rocky Mountains near Pike’s Peak, but it really felt like perfect weather. The breathing, on the other hand, not so perfect.
I ran 4.1 miles in 33 minutes and 14 seconds. That was an average pace of 8:04 per mile. With 404 feet of total elevation gain, I think 8:04 is pretty great!
I am excited to get back home and to be able to run without my lungs feeling like they are constantly collapsing, though.
Jodi and I will be hiking today, so we should easily get in another 5k this afternoon.
As I was reading through Matthew 4-6 this morning, I was immediately stopped by the first verse:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. – Matthew 4:1
What incredible insight into the situation! Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil.
I can’t tell you how much comfort I receive from reading these words. Do you know what this means for me? It means that God Himself is not only with us during difficulties, but that many times He is, in fact, the One leading us into the difficult situations!
Why in the world would that bring me comfort?!
Because it proves that God is far more interested in our character than in keeping us safe and cozy.
It proves that He is with us in the midst of difficult situations.
It proves that God is sovereign over difficult situations.
It proves that going through difficult situations does not necessarily mean that we are outside of the will of God. Rather, it may mean that we are following Him faithfully!
This is really important to me, because I have certainly been through a few difficult situations that have led me to wonder, “God, did I miss you on this one?!”
To be sure, many of my difficult situations were brought on by my own stupidity, but I am convinced (and this verse validates) that many times it really was God who was leading and walking with me the whole way.
A parallel passage is found in Luke 4. Notice how the Spirit is present and active in Luke’s account:
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness – Luke 4:1
Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” and was “led by the Spirit”
Later, in verse 14, he returns from the wilderness “in the power of the Spirit”.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. – Luke 4:14
Next, Jesus stands up in the synagogue and proclaims that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” – Luke 4:18-19
I don’t know about you, but I want this to be true in my life! I want to be full of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, walking in the power of the Spirit, and anointed by the Spirit!
In short, I want my life’s passion to be summed up by a phrase that caught my attention at the end of today’s reading:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
May my first priority and passion be the kingdom of God and his righteousness! How do we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?
By walking in the Spirit!
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It was a cold windy morning, but Paul and I got our walk in and our reading in. I’ve enjoyed the book of Matthew for a long time, so I’m looking forward to this! As far as the walking–I’m still counting — 2 down, 29 to go!
Haha. 29 to go is right!! Good job!
My run today was a little faster then yesterday. I ran 3.1 with a pace of 9:07 which was a total of 28:29. My second 5k in May and second day of wind.
There was so much in these three chapters that stuck out to me. I’ll try to keep it short so I don’t bore you.
When Jesus was calling Simon and Andrew to follow him it said they immediately left. Same with James and John they left immediately to follow him. I know it don’t say if this was the first time they met or not but to me it stuck out of how quick am I to follow? There’s times where I’m unsure and don’t do what he has asked me right away. Or I battle with are you sure this is what you want from me Lord I ask.
Other thing that stuck out is in chapter 5-6 it seems like Jesus was in the roll of laying things out. I felt there was no candy coating just saying it the way things are. Bam.
Good stuff… and good run!
This morning I was tempted to give up.
Cold, rainy and windy.
Then I remembered Jesus persevered in His temptation and gives me the power to do the same and I prevailed…
Glad you persevered!!
Sheldon and I got our run in this morning with a time of 27:06, which comes to an average of 8:44 per mile. We also read Matthew 4-6. Something that stuck out to me is how Jesus had scripture to back up his refusal of the devil’s temptations. It reminded me of how important it is to know scripture and be able to fight against sin with the Word of God.
Great run, and great truth!!
It is interesting to me that Satan also used scripture in his attempt to get Jesus to do the wrong thing. This is a good warning to us, as well. Some will try to twist the words of God to lead us astray. So not only is it important to know the word of God for ourselves, but it is important to know the character of God, for ourselves. That way we can know when people are speaking inaccurately about Him.
Great insight! Thanks for the comment.
Day 2 cold and windy, but felt great! Love Jesus’ teaching!
Great job!
3.1 miles on the treadmill. My legs still felt rubbery, but less dead than yesterday.
I always love reading about the first disciples to commit to follow Jesus. They didn’t have the entire Bible and history and resurrection to help make their decision. Did they have a pile of evidence to go off of, was it a hunch, did they want a change in scenery, maybe God just prepared their hearts just right? Whatever it was, they were decisive, prompt, and committed.
Well done! 3.1 on the treadmill feels like misery to me, but you are a warrior! Great insight on the disciples.
Got 6.4 miles in at dusk and it was really amazing! I see the sun come up on morning runs very often but rarely get to experience sundown, it’s fantastic! Honestly, if not for this crazy commitment to the 5k a day, I would have happily skipped today, but glad now I did not. Thanks for the motivation.
Awesome!! So glad you joined and so glad you had that great experience.
I put in 3.5 miles exploring some backroads around my house. Even though it was windy and chilly I enjoyed the solitude. It’s tough to work all day on your feet and then run a 5k but I think it’ll get easier with time.
3.5! Awesome! I think you’re right… it will get easier with time. Good job!
Day two – check! Like Cindy, I am counting down as well 🙂 I did treadmill 5K again, 29:25 with average pace of 9:28 and Randy ran outside fighting the windy elements with 3.5 miles ran in 29:31 and average pace of 8:18. Nicole did the reading for us again and one thing that stood out to me was the beatitudes and how Jesus encoursges and blesses such an “upside down life” to my selfish human way of thinking. Someday we will live in a heavenly home that makes everything that seems upside down feel right side up again.
Amen! Someday all will be made right! Great job on your 5ks!
Day 2 was all walk. Will take awhile for these old muscles, but loving the challenge. So much in the scripture today. Jesus mentioned hell numerous times. That always gets my attention.
All walk is alright! Thanks for joining the challenge.
I agree about so much in the scripture. It is hard to pull just one truth from three incredible chapters!
I got my 5k walk in at Red Rock Canyon today! Woo hoo!!
Great job!