There is a moment in running that some people call a “runner’s high”. Yes, it is a real thing. The times I most often have this feeling are when I am near the end of a hard workout. Progression runs are one of my favorite workouts because of this. I love starting slower and getting a few seconds faster each mile. When the last mile hits, endorphins kick in and I have joy to go faster (yes, I am sure that is crazy). The hard work has been done, the workout is almost over, and I am flying down the sidewalk. There is just something about pushing the body past the point where the brain thinks it can go. It is hard, but something new. It is comfortably uncomfortable.

As I fly to Georgia today, there are a lot of feelings that could be used to describe what I am doing. In using imagery, one option could be that I am on a giant cliff and am getting ready to make a jump into something new. However, I think this image conveys fear and worry, and by the grace of God, I do not have either of those. Here is how I would describe how I am feeling: there is an open field that runs for miles. The field is full of green grass and colorful wildflowers scattered throughout. I am running through the field towards a bright light ahead. The more I run, the closer the light gets. The closer the light gets, the more excited I am and the faster I want to run. So I continue to run faster and faster till eventually———I begin to fly. If you have ever been in an airplane, you know that when the plane takes off, as it gets higher, you can see the whole city and miles upon miles after that as well. This is how the image goes in my head too. Running turns into flying, and the field looks more beautiful. I can see so much more of the field and that brings so much joy! And that is how I am feeling about this mission———it gives me a joyous hope.

As I leave, I do not know what I will face and I do not know what is coming. I do not even really know where I am going. I also do not know what I will be doing. All I know is that God has called me to this, He is and will be with me through it, and I get to serve Him.

When Jesus came down to earth, He went through a similar situation, though His cannot be compared to. He took a step into something that was going to be very hard. He came to be our Savior. I cannot imagine what He was thinking, knowing what would happen. Even though He knew death would come, He loved people. He healed people. He let people in and He got to know them. Jesus selflessly served, though He received trouble from the Pharisees and even some people around Him. He never stopped pointing to God. He loved people as much as possible, and He even went past that. He looked for the lost, hurt, and broken to bring them grace, truth, and life. He went through and experienced all that we have and more.

Jesus then died on the cross. Before He died on the cross, thorns pierced His head. Like a million rose bush thorns stuck in your skin, but longer and way worse. He was whipped with a whip that would have had items like glass and other sharp things to tear across His back. And it wasn’t just once, but many times. Like a million paper cuts, but larger and way worse. They put a robe on Him and dressed Him up like a king so they could mock Him. Like the most embarrassing harassment you have ever received, but way worse. He carried the cross, which was very heavy, after He lost so much blood. Like trying to do something while feeling faint, but way worse. Nails pierced His hands and feet after all this. Like getting a shot or tattoo, but larger and way worse. Then, when He would breathe, I imagine the wood on the cross was not finished or polished, which would mean that every time He pushed up on the nail in His feet, His back scrapped against wood. His back that was already torn up from the whips now also torn up with splinters I imagine. Why would He do all that? Why would He go through all of that? Because of love. “For God so loved the world…….” Through all the pain and hurt, Jesus was thinking of every one of us. I believe He was clinging to the hope of what came next. The resurrection meant He defeated death and Satan. It also meant we get to the opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus and live for Him forever. Though He knew hard things were coming, I have to imagine that He also clung to all the good that would come. He wants us to join Him as royal children as He is King over all.