Driving out of my subdivision, I saw some runners from Anytime Fitness. Most people had completed the marked path but I saw one woman struggling to finish. I could tell she was tired as she moved with slumped shoulders, each step a fight to keep moving. Although she was running alone, others from the gym moved in her direction to cheer her on. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but I imagine it went something like this: “You’ve got this!” “Keep going, you’re almost there!”  “You can do it!” As I turned off my street, I lost sight of the action from the gym.  Even though I didn’t witness it, I believe the last runner completed the course.  She ran with a voice in her head saying, “You’ve got this!”

Too many times we face trials in life that make us want to quit.  But God is saying, “You’ve got this!” Although the world would push us down, God has many ways to pull us up.   “Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you; don’t be anxious, because I am your God.  I keep on strengthening you; I’m truly helping you.  I’m surely upholding you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ISV) God knows what to do with the things that come against us.  “Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.  Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.” (Exodus 15:6 NLT) When we have a destination in mind and every obstacle known to man is blocking us, we know where to turn.  Let’s point our running shoes towards a place of protection.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1 ESV) In this perfect sanctuary we catch our breath, square our shoulders, and keep moving towards our goals.  And if we listen very carefully, we’ll hear him say, “You’ve got this!”