A Marathon of Life

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A Miracle Moment Story: A Marathon of Life.

Have you ever felt like the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland? Feeling pressured to accomplish everything you want within a certain timeframe? Fearful and frustrated that your perfectly laid out plans, are failing to be executed, exactly at the “right time.”

These types of worries can make life feel similar to a rat race. We focus on challenges and detours, that seem like a sinister plot, meant to throw you off course… forever. But rather than giving up, you just refocus (while ignoring feelings of discouragement). Now working even harder or faster, hoping the last setback won’t significantly affect our planned accomplishments.

Why is it so hard to surrender to the flow of life or even to just take some time to smell the flowers?

Maybe it’s just me, or my way of thinking, but I often feel like this hurried bunny. Internally thinking “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!.”

Now I would deem myself to have what most consider to be “a busy mind.” Because of this, hearing God clearly is challenging. One of the best ways God speaks to me is through dreams. In dreams my mind is forced to take the back seat. So that I can easily receive information without manipulation, resistance or distractions.

One of my most memorable dreams, was of a vivid marathon dream. It wasn’t just a regular marathon, but a Marathon of Life. A race requiring calculated decisions, endurance, strength, obedience and of course, faith.

The dream started with everyone lining up. Waiting for the sound of a gunshot, signaling the start of the race. As we lined up, I noticed friends and family members were next to me, also waiting to run this race.

The gunshot was heard, and the marathon began. We ran together in unison, anticipating the long journey ahead. As we ran, we could hear from the bleachers our supporters cheering us on. They truly wanted us to succeed, more than anything.

My supporter was the voice of a man. I couldn’t see him, as I was focused on running. I could only hear his voice, which was loud, deep and stern.

As I ran, I observed the obvious designated path. I also noticed another route, I thought could possibly be a shortcut. I wanted to bypass the laid-out path & finish in record time, so I began considering changing directions. I slowed my pace & eventually stopped at a side road. This road looked deserted, but I still debated the gamble of switching courses.

Despite my better judgment, I slowly surrendered to this curiosity. I exited the designated path & veered off onto the abandoned road. This decision would ultimately change my (life’s) course. I heard the boisterous voice of my supporter. “No, not that way!!” He yelled, attempting to guide me back.

Although his voice somewhat intimidating, I wasn’t afraid of it. It was clear that this supporter was a coach or someone I knew. However, I didn’t listen to him. As I ran the voice yelled out three more times “Not that way!” before eventually giving up & becoming a silent spectator.

I soon realized that I was utterly wrong. However, not before running a significant distance in the wrong direction on this abandoned road. Eventually this road would come to a dead end. I was shocked & mortified. Although I was full of disappointment, I knew I had to keep going. I just turned around & began to run back, the same long distance.

Eventually I got back onto the designated route. This mistake was a doozy & it felt like I was starting over. Once reaching the designated route, there was no one in sight. Everyone was long gone. It was now just me and the road; I was so far behind and running alone.

As soon as I began running on the designated road again, I saw another alternate road. Again, I was tempted to change courses. “Not that way!” the voice yelled again. I made two steps toward it but then remembered it could once again be another dead end. So, I silenced my curiosity & remained on the designated path. A path that was laid out for me.

As I ran, I looked at the road ahead. Trying to see the finish line, but I could not see it. I felt defeated and full of regret. It was such a long road & I worried that I would never finish. Despite these discouraging thoughts, I kept running. But like waves of watered doubt, another cluster of daunting thoughts would soon arrive.

“Is the race still going on? Did everyone already go home? Should I give up?” These thoughts continued to pour in. I felt so very alone, as these thoughts were now suffocating my mind, like I was being held under water. Instantly, my supporter spoke again. As if he could hear my thoughts. He cheered, “Keep going!!! You got this!” The race wasn’t over! I was still in the game! I felt instantly relieved. His heavy, stern voice was now so very comforting. It was just the motivation I needed to endure. I was relieved to know that I was not alone, and the race was not over.

I ran past the bleachers, as my supporter’s voice grew louder, cheering me on, almost with a hint of impatience. As soon as I passed the bleachers, I reached an obstacle course.

A course with monkey bars, a dirt crawling path, and bars meant to swing from to propel the body forward. I started the obstacle course first feeling anxious but soon began to feel like a kid at the playground. I quickly forgot the reason I was there altogether.

Once again, my supporter yelled out with impatience & annoyance. Once again, I ignored him. I thought to myself “Sheesh, He wants me to succeed at this race, more than I do!.. He really should relax.” now thinking like a rebellious child.

I was finally delighting in the present moment. No longer worried about the race, but just having fun.

I continued to enjoy this obstacle course and lifted my legs in the air, attempting to do a handstand. As my feet lifted toward the sky, the sand on the bottom of my shoes fell right into my eyes. Causing me to close my eyes tightly in discomfort.

When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer behind in the race. Instead, I was leading.

I had somehow caught up, in the blink of an eye.

In disbelief and full of gratitude I yelled out “Oh thank you God!” I raised my arm to the sky, in full praise. This act of worship propelled me forward, moving me even faster in the race.

I quickly realized that if I kept my eyes and arms toward God, my pace moved faster. I didn’t understand how, so I began to look down, to examine my feet. But whenever I looked down, away from God, my pace slowed down significantly.

Once I understood this formula of speed, I began overextending my arms & reached to God, but beyond my abilities. I hoped to move even faster, but instead this overextending resulted in me tripping and falling multiple times. Ironically, even though I would repeatedly fall over, I somehow remained in same running position.

As I looked to my left, I recognized a woman I had a conversation with, in waking life. I met her earlier that day at wholefoods. My social-butterfly aunt started a light conversation her, as I watched her in admiration. She was an older woman with white hair. I thought she was stunning in appearance. She had a pretty dimpled smile and striking sea blue eyes. She was timelessly beautiful. As I studied her, I noticed an engraved bracelet on her arm. The engraved word was “Breathe.” A simple message that meant so much.

She was now a fellow running companion in my dream.

I was just consumed with puzzling thoughts, “How can I raise my arms higher without tumbling over?” Frustrated, I looked at her. She observed me with a smile & said “You don’t have to look down, and you don’t have to reach higher either. You just need to look straight forward. You are right where you’re supposed to be”.

A message she said, which then floated to me, in a clear bubble. The bubbled message then entered my chest, shocking me awake. I woke up feeling overwhelmed in emotions, crying, and not really understanding why.

I strongly believe this dream was from God. I believe dreams from him are very vivid and memorable. I also noticed a pattern to these dreams. Once the message is given in its entirety, I am instantly awakened. This allows me to remember every detail. It is as if my body begins to exit the sleep cycle, slowly, one level at a time. While this is happening, the message is being given to me. It is quite similar to the movie “Inception.”

Once the message is fully delivered, my eyes then open. I’m never fighting to wake up. Instead, it is as if something wakes me. It’s a very peaceful process and often leaves me feeling euphoric.

Dreams are a beautiful way of experiencing an alternate reality. In the bible there are many stories of God speaking through dreams.

An example of this form of communications was in the story of Jacob. Jacob was the ultimate dreamer and dream interpreter. His gifts saved a whole nation from famine, while helping him in becoming a destined ruler over Egypt. However, his interpretations were not from his own analysis. But rather a manifestation of his close relationship with God. He had the ability to quiet his own mind’s voice, while seeking God’s presence & then hearing God clearly. It was God who gave him the interpretation. Jacob’s gift was merely discernment.

He said it himself “Do not dream interpretations belong to God?” Genesis 40:8

I am still on the journey of hearing God clearly, while having faith that his messages are not mere coincidences.

God speaks in many ways. From messages written in the bible, to hearing a random song on the radio. From your conscience nudging at you, to receiving a random message from a stranger. From dreaming an unforgettable prophetic dream. His ways are vastly remarkable. If he needs to speak to you, you will certainly get the message one way or another.

In the end of my dream, there was no trophy, & there was no “winner.” Just the understanding that the Marathon of Life was meant to be experienced with gratitude and completed with endurance. Not rushed but savored. There are no shortcuts. Only a straightforward designated path & the wise, encouraging guidance from our loyal and constant supporter (Joshua 1:9)

The goal is to quiet the mind & focus on each present moment. Remaining free of future worries and past regrets.

We don’t need to be so focused on what’s next. The gift is the present time. We don’t need to look to the future (it’s beyond our reach), and we don’t need to look back either (it doesn’t matter). We just need to look straight forward, focusing on God, who’s with us in the here and now.

We are not late or behind. We are right where we are suppose to be.