11/27/18

I started the "Genius 5K " to get back into running in 2015.  I had made a commitment to lose wait to get my health back. I was over 300lbs and had been diagnosed with diabetes. I started walking and told myself I was not going to be one of those crazy runners. I think it was the pride saying that. I could not walk a half mile then so I did not want to run and see myself fail.  I was hardly winning the walking battle. 

Fast forward to the spring of 2018, Jim started the Genesis Running program. I said I can do that myself. So I set a goal to run on the trail some when I walked. To save me from writing it down let’s say it did not work. I thought I had missed out on my chance. Then the fall class was announced and I was first to sing up, in my heart.

Some may think I did not belong in this class. I was always running away from the group. I would be fidgeting around when Jim was talking. All this was to hide my doubts. I had tried to get into the running habit but just could not get it done. So that first day was a bit easy for me but I still had doubts I was ignoring. I have a confident outside while the race loomed large in the back of my mind. Even when I was running and doing very well by outside observation I had placed goals for myself that had me scared. I put my faith in running and myself. I ran hard and did not miss a run. I had some hard spots but all was going well.

Week 7 got here and I started thinking, “can I reach my goals”, I don’t know. I lost sight of Jim, the program, and God. I thought “if I run hard I will win”.   Through week 8 I ran harder. Then this morning I was reading and doing my meditation and found all I could think about was this race. I could hear Jim say “why are you doing the program?”    I realized that I was putting it all on my shoulders. I kept thinking what if I don’t finish in the time I want? Why could I not feel better about the race? Then Jesus hit me in the face. He said very clearly, “I gave you Genesis 5k and Jim, you can do this.

Even when I forgot that I had asked Jesus to help me he still is helping me. The more I remembered Jim’s teachings and to write down why we were doing this the better I felt. So here I am. I will run for me thru the power of Christ and will do my best. I love you all and thank you for your help in my journey. 

Julian
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P.S. Thank you Jim, and more important, Jesus!

 

Julian and his Genesis team from Lewisburg