My finish line is coming home to my body and my own experience- and through that, enabling my gifts and strengths to be used for the good of others. I think the true finish line will be looking back over my lifetime, in those last moments, just before breathing my last, hopefully feeling a sense of all the lives with whom I’ve journeyed. But I’ve had many finish lines leading to this point, and I will still have many until that final day comes.
My running began when I first saw myself as more than I’d been led to believe. It was driven by the pursuit of all those voices that tried to tell me who I was, although they just felt true at the time. Running was really the only thing I could call my own. So I lumbered my way through a 5K, then a couple of half marathons, and a little stronger through a couple full marathons. And then, through the gains in physical strength, I gained emotional strength and began to recognize the voices for what they were.
It was a shock to realize how small was my view of my worth. My running took a hit as I worked through loss of community, family, and stability. Struggling to rebuild, I also struggled to run. Then a friend (who wouldn’t claim the ‘runner title’ at the time) decided to run as a fundraising effort for those with even less support than I! How could I (who still claimed the title) say no?!? So we signed up for our race. We fundraised for clean water for those who didn’t have it, and I PR’d by 7min. And suddenly, I wasn’t running from lying voices anymore- I was running toward the finish line. The finish line of communities having clean water and no longer having to walk miles for disease-ridden water.
I continue to explore who I am, and what I bring to this world. And through that exploration, I step more fully into my experience and my body. Inhabiting my full being is highlighting my citizenship in my global community! Stay tuned for my next finish line! It’s going to be hard won, with lots of stumbles along the way, and it will also be amazing!
I would be so honored if you joined me in enabling other’s finish lines. Wv.link/Jireh
