Go the Distance

The month of July has been characterized by mileage. A close friend of mine lives an hour and a half away, but I reframe the drive as an adventure instead of a barrier.  Summer is the ultimate excuse for impromptu day trips. Recently, I drove to Jacksonville to snag dinner with my beloved son on his 23rd birthday. A dear friend joined me for the drive (on the condition that we also take a slow trip through Florida's agricultural midsection) because quaint little towns are her lifeblood. She was in luck because long drives don't intimidate me; they invigorate me. 

This summer, I also visited the west coast of Florida. As I basked in the glow of a perfect crimson sunset, the oppressively stifling air was a distraction. I pondered the significance of the moment. The political temperatures are soaring, with no merciful breeze in sight. Living water, come and refresh our weary souls! There is a gaping hole in the wall of unity that should define us. So how far are we willing to stretch ourselves to create a bridge? The reality is that convenience has become our god and most of us don't do long distance very well. But God commands us to go to the distance in our personal and spiritual lives. 

Going the distance requires sacrifice and intention. Jane Austen once said, “The distance is nothing when one has a motive.” Champions always lock in on the finish line. Even the most seasoned marathon runners know that they must schedule time for rest if they want to sidestep injuries and mental burnout. In practice, they vary the intensity and do not run every day when training for the marathon. Consistency and dedication seem to be the perfect sweet spot on the road to success. While some people demonstrate steady growth, others rely on artificial boosters like steroids. Quick fixes lead to unintended consequences. We are called to extend ourselves beyond the realm of personal convenience. Are we conditioning ourselves to go the distance or have we been lulled by the hum of complacency?

When Moses led the children of Israel through the wilderness to reach the promised land, it was disobedience rather than distance that stymied them. In fact, the shortest route was only 250 miles! So often, it is the distractions and detours that cause unnecessary delays. We should embrace the path ahead and realize that shortcuts can often short circuit our destiny. Whether you are facing down a brand-new school year or you feel stuck in a rut on the treadmill of life, distance is only an illusion. The time we waste stuck in "the fear gear" could be spent covering more ground. Divine intervention is just one prayer away! Choose to go the distance with God.

Galatians 6:9 (MSG)

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.