Last year at this time I was a few hours removed from hearing world-known Ironman finish line announcer, Mike Reilly, shout–“JOHN MEYER (John is my real first name) YOU ARE AN IRONMAN,” as I crossed the finish line of Ironman Maryland.
Most of you know I love the sport of triathlon (swim-bike-run) and the pinnacle for all triathletes is successfully completing an Ironman Triathlon where we swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles–all in succession.
I remember the final hour of my race and the hours afterward like it all happened yesterday. Something inside of me told me to savor the moment. I found myself in a spiritual state like never before.
Sometimes the best way to get in touch with your spirit is to be completely spent mentally and physically.
Yesterday morning, during my devotion time, I told God I was having trouble feeling His spirit. I said to Him, “Either your spirit has left me or it has become so encompassing that I am not noticing it.”
In a split second–and I mean a SPLIT SECOND–God directed my attention to the last four months of my life which began with my bike accident and fractured hip and continued with the passing of my dad, the near-death of our new German Shepard that I ran over with my truck, Lori’s dad’s ongoing battles with his chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and subsequent steroid-induced diabetes and hypokalemia. Beyond those challenges, throw in my newest battle with blood clots in my right calf and Lori’s mom suffering a stroke this past Wednesday (she’s going to be OK)–and you will probably agree that our family has been through the proverbial wringer.
After God directed my attention to what we’ve been through He then focused my attention on how I felt. Remarkably, I’m at peace and for the most part, I’ve been at peace throughout this entire process of dealing with life.
I then thanked Him for his all-encompassing spiritual shield and promised I wouldn’t question his presence ever again.
BTW…developing a spiritual shield doesn’t just happen. It takes lots of focused time with God…which I’ve spent much of the past four months doing.
Today I was hoping I would be celebrating my 2nd Ironman completion as I signed up to do an encore of Ironman Maryland all the way back in December.
Unbeknownst to me, God had a different type of Ironman planned for me in 2019.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. they will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
