Going beyond yourself

I have began training for another Half-Marathon. This will be my forth in Prescott, so I am familiar with the course and the prep needed. However...and that's a big HOWEVER, this time seems much harder.

Perhaps it's the 10 extra pounds. Maybe it's the 48 years of life. My times are greater and so are my aches and pains. I wouldn't want it any other way!

What the heck are you talking about? Harder, older, slower and more painful and I wouldn't want it any other way. I have begun to appreciate the VALUE OF STRUGGLE more now than ever before. If I am doing things that are BEYOND MYSELF, then I am in a position to depend on God and others to make it! I will do my part and at the end of this race day, I still have to run the entire 13.1 miles but mentally I am depending on God to get me through.

What was the last thing you attempted that was "beyond yourself"? Maybe you should do something physical like running a long race or taking a big hike? Maybe you should speak to someone you have been avoiding or giving something away that is valuable to you. Maybe your "someday I will do ????" just needs to start today!

Do something today that is SO BIG that you must rely on the Lord to see it done! Good luck and keep moving. You have a friend slowly running up and down the mountains of Arizona who understands.

Every trip has a destination!

As God began to unfold His plan for the Coyne family, He faithfully provided words to encourage us. These words were recorded thousands of years ago by the Prophet Isaiah. Here is what God said...

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

We knew without a doubt that God was moving us FROM United Christian Youth Camp TO something new. Our destination was unknown and required a new level of faith to see it through. He provided financially. He provided housing with family. God gave us peace when we were very uncertain.

What I have learned is that a JOB or MINISTRY is not the destination that interests God. I wanted those things because of the stability, but God knows better. As I write this post, we are 17 months into following God in the wilderness. He is making a way for us and providing streams where we never would have expected them. I cannot say it has been easy, but I can say, "It has been good"!

What is our destination? I don't know! Maybe we are going to wander for a long time and I'm okay as long as God is leading us through! You will find the same to be true when God begins something new for you! Enjoy the Trip!

When the road is unclear...

October 2014, Lori and I heard clearly from God to leave the camp ministry that we loved and home that we loved for something new He was doing! Wow! Without doubt we knew that God was at work, but this "leap without a landing spot" is scary and frustrating. I have left a ministry for another ministry, but this is the first time we are leaving without knowing what is next!

Over the next few posts I will un pack a few of these lessons, but what I can say today is: If God is moving you, like he did with Abraham, to a "land that I will show you" then I can appreciate more than ever the journey of Faith that you are traveling. Buckle up because it gets good...and very hard!