ENDURE THE DIRT
Last Monday I discussed our 5K Adventure Run ENDURE THE DIRT. You may ask what is this? It is a race in the fields around Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart Arkansas. Participants have to run 3 miles in the mud going up, over and through 14 obstacles. What we try to do is have a healthy individual feel somewhat as a cancer patient feels every day. All the money we raise from this is used through PERSONAL PEP RALLY our 501c3 that’s mission is to educate, encourage and motivate cancer patients and their families.
Why do we call it ENDURE THE DIRT?
We call it ENDURE THE DIRT because cancer patients have to ENDURE (to remain firm under suffering without yielding) the DIRT (whatever circumstance someone is facing that is difficult and brings on anxiety, it is also not of their choosing).
Everyone during their life has some dirt they have to endure.
What is your dirt? What was Jesus’s dirt?
Our dirt:
During our lifetime we will all experience some type of DIRT (adversity). It is all in perspective to you. It may be cancer, it may be some other type of illness, it may be the loss of a loved one, it may be a divorce, it may be the sickness of a family member, it may be the loss of a job, it may be a move. Dirt is anything that brings on stress in your life.
How we endure our dirt?
When we have to ENDURE THE DIRT, we need not do it alone, and we don’t have to. Being strong in our faith and having God get dirty with us will enable us to have the strength to trudge through the mud.
Hebrews 12:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Romans 5:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Christ’s Dirt:
Take this cup from me were the words from Jesus. He was full of anguish. He knew what was before Him. He knew He was the living sacrifice and He knew He had to. During His walk to be crucified He was so weak Simon had to carry the cross for Him. He was nailed to the cross and hung to die for you and for me. That sacrificial death that He endured for us.
Matthew 26:38-39 New International Version (NIV)
38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
As Lauren and I discussed endure the dirt, she related it to Christ. Christ walked through the streets with His cross. People were watching, some were chanting, He was weak and tired, but He kept going. This is what cancer patients do they carry their cross, and many are watching. Some are cheering, some don’t say a word, and others jump in and try to help carry the cross. Their souls are overwhelmed, but they keep going.
Our prayer is that you feel Christ’s presence when you are enduring your own dirt and know that you are never carrying your cross alone. He is with you.
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:
- Keep your daily appointment with Christ
- Dig deep in the word
- Remind yourself that he is with you when you are trudging through the mud
- Fill your cup so you can fill other cups
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