Run the Race

By Andy Petry, National Director of The Landing

Over the past couple of years, I’ve started to get back into a rhythm of working out—and that has prompted me to start running again. Now, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with running—I love the benefits of the activity, the silence and solitude that comes with it, and how I feel afterward. But running has never been fun. It’s hard and painful when I find myself in the middle of it. And every time I’m on a run, I wonder why I thought it was a good idea in the first place. I inevitably come back to this thought: at least I’m running. Yes, I’m tired. Yes, my body hurts a bit. Yes, I’m out of breath. But that pain is not being wasted. Every run is another step down the road in taking care of my health. My body gets stronger as I push it out of its comfort zone. And that’s important—you know why? Because staying in my comfort zone has only ever worked to the detriment of my health.

The same is true in my recovery. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone always gives me new opportunities to grow. Whether choosing to be honest about a struggle, admitting I need help, giving back in new ways by leading a step study, helping with worship, or sponsoring someone, those opportunities help my recovery grow stronger. They’re opportunities to push myself more than staying in my comfort zone. Every time I choose to lean into where God is leading me, it takes me one step further down my road of recovery. Hebrews tells us this:

“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 . . . Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

Running this race with Jesus can be hard and painful when we find ourselves in the middle of it. But at least we’re running. Every step we take, every new opportunity we embrace to step out of our comfort zone, allows us to walk closer with Jesus and grow with him. It doesn’t matter how fast we’re going or how graceful the journey is as long as we’re moving in the right direction. And what’s so incredible here at Celebrate Recovery is that we don’t ever have to run alone. Instead, we get to run that race “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”—our forever family! And together, we help each other run closer to the One we fix our eyes upon, Jesus.

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If you would like to learn how to start your own Celebrate Recovery ministry, to contact your Celebrate Recovery Rep, please visit: https://crgroups.info/. To get involved in an already existing Celebrate Recovery ministry near you, please visit: https://locator.crgroups.info/.