The Perfect Running Partner

Psalm 18:35-36 (New Living Translation)

You have given me your shield of victory.
    Your right hand supports me;
    your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet
    to keep them from slipping.

On a cool, August morning, at a family camp in Colorado, my husband and I set out for a walk. About ten minutes in we came to a sudden stop.

Right in front of us, in the middle of the path, was a fresh pile of bear scat.

Looking at each other we debated whether to turn around immediately or to press on and hope that the bear had wandered off.

Not feeling overly nervous, we chose to press on.

Only a minute later we heard a noise. Imagine something between a grunt and a growl. Close enough to convince us that the bear had not wandered off after all. And loud enough to make us feel significantly less confident.

We didn’t need to stop and confer this time – we simply turned and ran.  

Rob is a fast runner and has run several half marathons. His legs are strong. His lungs are strong. He has quick reflexes.

I do not have his strength or his stamina. I am not sure footed when navigating the holes, and branches, and rocks that naturally occur in wooded areas.

Rob could have left me behind, but instead he grabbed my hand. He supported me by physically holding on to me, and he gave me confidence by calling out obstacles that were ahead. He protected me from slipping while we ran. His help made me great. Y’all, I’ve never run that fast in my life!

Little did we know that less than two weeks later we’d face something far scarier than a pile of fresh bear poop. Instead of being in a beautiful forest, we’d be standing in a small hospital room. Instead of hearing a growl, we’d hear the word “cancer”.

But our response was the same. Rob took my hand, and we ran.

We called out obstacles to each other: “fear”, “guilt”, “anger”. We paced ourselves so that even as we navigated emotions at different times, we didn’t leave each other behind.  

And most of all we helped each other cling to Jesus. Because those verses in Psalm 18 aren’t actually about us. They are about Jesus – who laid down his life for us and for you.

It is Jesus who gives us the ultimate shield of victory. Whose right hand supports us. Whose help makes us great. Who makes a wide path for our feet so that as we run (or hobble, or limp…) we do not slip.

In this life we are guaranteed to come across giant piles of stinky crap. So, whatever you face today – remember that it is not a surprise to the Lord. Let him take your hand and navigate you through it. He is the perfect running partner who will never leave you behind.

Love, Marissa