On the hard hills, it’s a struggle to look up…in life and in running. I find myself not wanting to actually look at the hill…all I can manage to do is look down and see one foot moving in front of the other.
The hills are hard. Exhausting.
Sometimes you want to sit…or quit…or turn around and go the other direction because it’s easier.

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Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

**Breathe.**

It’s ok to not look up at the looming hill…it’s ok to watch your feet as they keep moving forward. It’s ok if they’re moving slow. As long as they keep moving.

And then, when you get to the top of the hill, look around.

It’s quite a view.

All of those hard steps…all of that breathing through…it’s gotten you here to the top.

They are brief moments in time, these top-of-the-hill moments.

Take a mental picture of the view from up top.

Look at the cloud of people running the race with you. Some beside you…some ahead of you…some behind you. Everyone at different places…everyone pressing forward.

Know that you’re not alone in this race.

Remember it all later…when you get to the next hill.
Remember that you have the strength to do it. Remember who the Source of your strength is.

“The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2

Thank Him.

Look back and take a moment to appreciate the fact that you made it, even though you may have wanted to quit.

**You persevered.**

And then, enjoy the other side…the downhill.
Don’t go too fast. Pace yourself…enjoy the easier times.

Because my friend, there are so, so many uphills. The downhills give us an opportunity, in the middle of it all, to relax and breathe for a minute.

I’m thankful for the downhills.

Breathe. Smile. Look around. Soak it in. Embrace it. Don’t miss the sweet, easier moments that life allows.

And then just keep running the race that’s set before you. One step at a time.

Endure and persevere, friend. It’s worth it to get to the Finish. That cloud of people that you saw running with you…some of them are there at the Finish, cheering you on. Telling you well done…telling you that you’ve ran a great race. They know how hard it was. They ran those hard hills, too. They persevered to get to the finish.

Hang in there. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

If it’s glorious running through that cloud of cheering people at the end of a race here on earth, and be met as you cross the line with a cold water and a medal for finishing, I can’t even fathom what it will be like to run through the heavenly Finish Line. When our greatest reward…Jesus Himself…meets us with a “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Oh, what a glorious day that will be!!

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“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 perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he 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 sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3

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