Galatians 3:3 (CEB)
Are you so irrational? After you started with the Spirit, are you now finishing up with your own human effort?

The Marathon of Life: Lessons from Nashville

Running the Nashville Marathon was an unforgettable experience—but not for the reasons I expected. It was my third marathon, and by that point, you’d think I’d have it all figured out. My first marathon in Memphis was nerve-wracking. I was so afraid of “hitting the wall”—that dreaded moment when your body runs out of energy and your mind screams at you to quit—that I prepared obsessively. I read every article, watched every video, and trained like my life depended on it.

But Nashville was different. I’d trained, sure, but I underestimated the challenge of its relentless hills and the importance of sticking to my plan. By mile 18, I learned the hard way what it meant to hit the wall. My legs cramped so badly I collapsed. Fear crept in as I called my wife, certain I wouldn’t finish within the cutoff time.

The last 6 miles were a battle of the body and mind. Every step was agony, but I pushed on, stopping at every hydration station to eat bananas and drink Gatorade and water. Thank God for those hydration stations—they were the only thing that kept me going.

I crossed the finish line, but it wasn’t in victorious fashion. I took my medal and went straight to the car, sick and defeated, and slept for two hours. When I woke up, the event was over, and the parking lot was empty.

Later, a running buddy reminded me of my biggest fear: I’d hit the wall. As I unpacked my race bag, I realized why. The hydration packs and food I’d carefully prepared to keep my glycogen levels up were untouched. I’d gotten so caught up in the race that I’d forgotten to replenish.

That race taught me a valuable life lesson: we can’t go through life without tapping into our “hydration station.” Just as my body needed fuel to endure the marathon, our souls need the sustenance that only the Holy Ghost can provide. When we neglect our spiritual needs—when we stop praying, stop seeking, stop refilling—we hit the wall spiritually.

Thank God for His provision. Just like those hydration stations kept me going on the course, the baptism of the Holy Ghost empowers us to keep running our race of faith, even when the hills are steep and the journey feels impossible. Let’s not take it for granted. Let’s stay refilled and ready for the road ahead.

Keep running, and don’t forget to hydrate! 🏃‍♂️💧🔥