Day 1

I'm Confident Your Faithfulness Will See Me Through

Today's the day. The 35-mile Georgia Jewel. Each day up to race day I've been reflecting on the song that has given me strength through this Jewel of a journey: Confident, by Steffany Gretzinger. Yesterday, I focused on the lyrics - you're my hope forever, the rock where I stand. Today, I'll turn to the next lyrics in the song: ​

I'm confident your faithfulness will see me through

If you've been following along, you've seen that lyric before. But today it's worth singing it again. Or writing it. That has been

the theme of this song, the story of this countdown: confidence. Confidence that a crazy idea I hatched five months ago to tackle the most difficult leg of my running journey, maybe the most physically challenging endeavor of my life, will end in victory. 

When I struggled through the finish of my first marathon, the lyrics "who can stop the Lord almighty" echoed in my mind. There's no doubt today it will be "I'm confident your faithfulness will see me through."

In a blog post I read early in this ultra journey, Episcopal priest Christian Hawley said this about his spiritual journey on the trail:
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"We need to feel small. We need to recognize we are part of something grander, and bridge the ever widening gap between a vague spirituality focused on the self, and Bible idolatry obsessed with a calcified point-of-view."

That is my journey today. To feel small. To discover that my faith is bigger than myself, it's bigger than the words I cling to in the bible. Me and those words - we are mere reflections of the larger than life God who loves me. The God who will see me through this day, and triumphantly through this race. 

When we look at life through the lens of our own capabilities, through the words of promise in the bible, it can be difficult to believe everything is possible. So sometimes we need to go tackle the impossible to see just how big God is. To see and feel the true power that lives in us, and through his words. As incredible as we are, as incredible as God's words are, it's God himself who will see us through. Sometimes we have to go to the mountains to witness it. 

As I head off to tackle 35 miles of the Georgia Jewel today, I do it with confidence. Confidence that God will see me through. But I go also to gain confidence. When you witness the mountain-mover moving mountains first hand, it gives you confidence in this day, and the days to come. 

So the countdown to the Georgia Jewel is over. It's time for the ball to drop. It's time to tackle the trail. I'm grateful for all who have followed along. I'm grateful for the support and cheers and encouragement. I look forward to sharing the story of the Georgia Jewel mountain - and the day I got to watch God move it. He's the mountain mover - only he can. 

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Click above to donate to help Giving Words help Kate.

I am honored to run this race for Giving Words and my friend Kate Fletcher. I got to know Kate when I interviewed her on my TwoTim47 podcast after she ran 100 miles to raise scholarship money for her Louisa County High students. I was taken by her heart and spirit for using running to help others. You can listen to my conversation with Kate here: High School Teacher Kate Fletcher Runs 100 Miles For Student Scholarships.
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​In the interview, I had no idea Kate had needs of her own. Her humble spirit won't give things like that away. But Kate lives in a house with some significant structural challenges. So I'm partnering with my friend Eddie Brown and Giving Words to help her. I'm hoping to find 100 people to donate $35 - one dollar for each mile of that Georgia Jewel run.