Although I’m smiling here I will admit that I have mixed emotions about the upcoming marathon. I want to be excited but admittedly am nervous.

One of the many lessons I’ve learned along the way is that the scarier path may be the right path for me, and you, but that doesn’t make it easy or smooth.

From the moment I found out I was on team @bravelikegabe for the NYC marathon, I had a wave a panic run through my body. If anyone in my family mentioned the marathon those first couple of weeks I would get the same wave of anxiety and asked them not to talk about it.

It would have been so easy for me to make up a reason to not do say yes. Yet when I looked at the heart of why I wouldn’t do it it’s because I fear not being successful at this. And once I swallowed that truth, I knew I had to step into it because I refuse to let fear make my decisions for me.

Although this isn’t an easy process, I will say by stepping out of my comfort zone, and by doing what scares me, I’ve grown in ways I never would have within had I stayed in my comfort zone.

I share this with you today in case any of you also have a path before you that is scary, unknown, and a less comfortable. If so, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

No matter how we present ourselves to others on the outside, may we be honest with ourselves where we really are in our hearts and minds. May we acknowledge the fear yet instead of allowing it to rule us, may we turn to God’s word and pray “that the peace of Christ rule our hearts and minds.” And if we choose to take the scarier, less comfortable path, may we remember God has promised to be with us. It may not be easy, yet may we allow it to refine us, from the inside out, and allow it to help us grow closer to God, and into who He made us to be.

With love and hope,
Shawn