The Valley of Boredom

Running on the treadmill is a real pain. I usually try to push out the fastest mile of my life every time I set to run because I absolutely despise seeing the distance slowly tick. I'm not able to enjoy a normal pace and enjoy the scenery so to speak. I have to rush through and get it over with. Today I ran three miles even with the slight knee pain that only shows itself when I am on a treadmill. Today my mind wasn't focused on speed, but on what God has done for me both in the natural and the unseen. See, I wore this shirt today (part of my Valentine's day gift).

I never turn the screens on, so all I could see was this powerful scripture staring back at me. What an awesome reminder of where I am at in the Lord. 

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV 

Last year my two main goals were: 1. Get down to a healthy, lean 140ish lbs, 2. pray more. Through lots of prayer, fasting, and dedication the Lord helped me far exceed my goals. On my path to "success", I was met with great challenges in both areas. Let's be honest! It is always difficult to not eat too much pizza and sweets (as I reward myself with key lime pie). There were times I really did not want to wake up before the sun to get a good run in without the kiddos distracting me. Other days I did not want to lift over 5 lbs. 

On the spiritual side of things, there were more days, than I'd like to admit, that I did not even open my Bible. There were days I felt frustrated by the prayers I found myself reciting. I went through the motions, even though sometimes it was just plain dull with little results. Today I pushed through in the physical, which reminded me of last year as I pushed through in my prayers. I waited on the Lord, and waited, and waited. He said be patient, keep pressing in, keeping knocking. Today God has taken me to new places in His Word. My eyes have been opened to the scripture in fresh and exciting ways...it is more motivating to study now than when I was getting my degree in Bible and Theology. 

One thing is certain, I would not be diving deeper in the Word if I had not gone through the valley of pure boredom. Do your best sister, brother to not loathe the valley or desert. Sometimes God IS silent for what seems like eternity. He is seeing your persistence, your desire, your gut hard fight. He is waiting for your heart and mind to be fully attentive so He can pour new wine into a new wine skin (Read Matthew 9:14-17).

Dear Heavenly Father, 

You are the Creator of Heaven and Earth, yet still care about every moment of our day. You bend Your ear to hear our cries, You open Your arms of comfort, and point us in the direction we should go. We ask for more of You, because you said ask and it will be given. We seek and knock so that we may find You and walk through the door of hope and promise. You have our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows in Your mighty hands. And though we may be in the valley of boredom, You are coming to rise us up like eagles soaring into our destiny. We honor and glorify the name of above all names, Jesus. Amen.