Pace Yourself

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
                    1 Corinthians 9:24

This is one of those days. 
A day following a week of productivity and spiritual fervor.  
A day following a night of spiritual attacks leaving me unrested. A day when it's on the verge of rain but it just won't fall.

But the "Son" shines brighter through the clouds of my perspective. He permeates the darkness leaving me staring at pure beauty and blessing. He is my Savior.

He has saved me from all of my carnality and my selfish pride. His love overwhelms my confusion and leaves me with a clear mind.

He is Lord of all.

So it's not the coffee that gets me through my day but the truth of his freedom and his promise to never leave me.

His love carries me, steadies my heart, and helps me keep the pace and run this race with perseverance. His training can be brutal, but his promises are worth the effort.

Last night I had a dream. 

I was running through a fully furnished home.  

It was completely dark.  I stumbled through hallways to each bedroom trying to flip on the lights to break the solid darkness.  When I got to the bathroom, I found an empty glass container and I grabbed a wad of cotton balls.  I quickly shoved them inside, and pulled a lighter I had on me.  I lit the cotton and the darkness left the room.  

Feeling less fear than before...I entered the hallway once more, only to look down and see my light was 

blown out and a cold chill went down my spine as a dark figure stood behind me.  His presence brought fear initially.  I ran for another bedroom where in my subconscious knew of some fabric that would shield me from this darkness.  I slid into the bedroom and pulled a spool of fabric off of the wall as quickly as I could.  I quickly unwrapped it and fell on the bed, pulling the fabric down over my body.

I heard the dark figure squeal as he tried his hardest to get to me, but he couldn't even get into the room.

Then I woke up.

I know that this dream was meant to show me that I have been given the covering that I need in order to defend myself from the enemy.  The Lord has given me all of the power over the enemy to fulfill His calling over my life.  I can confidently set out for the plans the Lord has for me in the near future.    

I notice in my dream, I already had a lighter on me.  And the covering was made available for my taking.  It is available for you as well.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  -2 Timothy 1:7

"The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has NOT OVERCOME it."   -John 1:5