Week 7 is complete and we are officially halfway through the challenge! Way to go everyone. 🙌🏻💯 For those who find themselves behind, there is still plenty of time to catch up! Even if you haven’t grabbed a single mile to date, you can still finish the 100-mile goal by getting 2.2 miles in each day. Keep on making your way to the finish line!! You got this!🙋🏼♀️
Congratulations to the 339 participants who have already crossed the Spring100 Finish Line!! 🎉
Spring100 Featured Photographer: Bethany Fleming
Spring100 Devotional
Running the Race
Mr Charles DeLadurantey || Week 7 Spring100 Devotional
“1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
Hello to My Fellow Mighty Spring 100 Challenge Walking Warriors!
As we reflect upon this year’s Spring 100 theme Scripture passage, Hebrews 12:1-2, Iet’s be reminded that every Scripture passage has a context. In that regard, I was looking over Hebrews 11 where the author has a completes a sweeping discourse about faith and I am struck by Chapter 11 verse 40 that says: “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Wow, what a way to “set the stage” for the exhortations that are to come in Chapter 12!
Looking at Charter 12:40 we find the writer wrapping up the familiar “Hall of Faith” verses about the Old Testament heroes with a capstone statement pointing us onward to our walk of faith, a faith that finds itself in the reality of Christ born of a virgin, living a perfect life in the flesh as the God-man (in the Greek: Theanthropos) , suffering the punishment of our sin, dying a real death and being resurrected to the Right Hand of God the Father and ruling as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We have a “better promise”. Comparatively better than the types and shadows of the Old Testament saints. Our standing today is that of a better covenant, a further administration of the covenant of grace. Jesus has both expiates and propitiates our sin. What does that mean?
Expiation is about Jesus taking away our guilt through His atonement (death and resurrection) that pays the penalty, the debt we owe to God the Father. Propitiation is about how Jesus changes God the Father’s disposition towards us – we are no longer His enemies but His adopted sons – He is FOR us, not against us. So, Christian, you are in HIS favor. Keep this solidly in your mind and heart as we move to Hebrews 12 and pick up with the exhortations therein.
Chapter 12 continues the conversation from Chapter 11, beginning with “Wherefore…..”. The author is saying, hey, looking back, those Old Testament folks endured much with the promise of Messiah, but you and I have the reality of Christ Incarnate and now seated in heaven, accompanied by many (a cloud) witnesses who walked in faith. I see this as a clear and emphatic foundation for what comes next. The charge to “…..lay aside every weight…..”. Let’s pause and dig a little deeper about what “laying aside” means. CLUE: It does not mean our lives are free from stress, strains, disappointments, betrayal, and sins that seem to never fully go away……
Matthew Henry has this to say – “….every weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.”
You see this “weight” is additional to our circumstances, we can bring it upon ourselves. The author of Hebrews is not just telling us to “pull up our bootstraps” and do better but rather he is in the context of the big picture – contrasting our standing in the resurrection of Christ to the position of those Old Testament heroes of the faith and saying – embrace the grace of God and give up the self focus and smallness of living ONLY a life in the flesh – “Walk by the spirit” friends! (Gal. 5:16 – “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”).
How can we, having a “better promise” not find the freshness of freedom in the imperative to “lay aside” temporal concerns and cast them upon Him (Proverbs 12:25). Not taking deliberate action to actively/daily “lay aside” leads being less able to also do the next charge of Hebrew 12:1 – To lay aside also the SIN that so easily besets us. Sin moves us into backwards motion and stagnates our spiritual growth and holiness. You can’t complete 100 miles of walking by turning around and picking up the weight of sin.
Let’s utilize our walking time to reflect on our position in Christ and how we have a living faith, not dead and ritualistic but one of power through the Holy Spirit that guides us as adopted children unto a Father who is righteousness and goodness.
Whether we walk 10 miles or 1000 miles over the weeks ahead, carrying, as Matthew Henry puts it “a dead weight upon our soul” is off the list. Look unto Jesus my brothers and sisters – What glory Divine, What a Savior, Hallelujah! More on Hebrews 12:2 in my next devotional, See you then!
QUESTION! As we enter week 8 of the Spring100, what is your best tip for fellow spring100ers when it comes getting out and accomplishing your miles?? How do YOU stay motivated?
Don’t forget! These posts are made possible by YOU!! Your photo submissions and comments make these posts extremely fun and my job of putting them together super easy. Thank you! So with that being said, don’t leave without commenting, and remember to send in your Spring100 walking/running photos for a chance to be featured in next week’s post. Thank you!
“Mile 100 today, May 3rd!! Praise God for His strength!” Sheridan C. 💯🎉 CONGRATULATIONS!!!
“Went on a beautiful spring hike with my family in South Carolina! 🤩” Lydia B. — Rosalyn B. checking in for week 7 of the 2024 Spring100! 🙌🏻🙋🏼♀️
“Catching a few miles with friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon😍” Angela G. 🌸 LOVE this photo!!
“Finishing up Spring100 with a 5k race!” Hannah H. — “Becca and I enjoyed a short walk😄” Lucy 👏🏼💯
“Hiking 40 miles on the Arizona Trail!” Kyle T. ☀️💯
“First finisher in our family goes to Lance!” Amy C.💯🎉 WAY TO GO, Lance!!!! — “It was so great to walk with a friend from out of state!!” Grace L. 👏🏼
“Mountain walk!” Bethany F. ⛰♥️
“Getting some miles in with my little brother down by the creek 😊” Joy R.
“Keith Family enjoyed a Sunday hike in the NC mountains!!! God’s creation is glorious!!!” Kate K. ⛰🙌🏻 Amen! It truly is!!
“Angel & Faron Derby getting in a Saturday walk. The weather was beautiful and the trees new leaves have arrived!” — “Visiting Isak Heartstone, the Breckenridge Troll” Taya T. 🙌🏻 Great job, y’all!!
“Walking off the miles, kiddos in tow!” Victoria S. 😁💯 Keep up the great walking!
“Taking a walk with my horse, and watching the sun go down” Elizabeth W. —“Had to walk with this guy.. 😩 😑 😂” Luker
“Love it when we can get all the siblings together for a walk!” Amanda S. 👏🏼🙋🏼♀️
“Walking with my husband in Cincinnati while satisfying pregnancy cravings, and also getting miles in!” Mercy and Gabriel–“My first year officially doing Spring 100! Grabbed a cool pic on this massive fallen tree near our hometown.” Rachel W. 😁🍦 LOVE IT!!
“This picture is from a hike we took in Greyson Highland State park!” Madison B.
“Me and my loyal dog Basil finishing the Spring 💯!” Olivia C. WAY TO GO!!🎉 — “Fun walking with our favorite fury friend.” Sherri S.
“Got some walking in with my niece at my sisters track meet.” Elizabeth F 🏃♀️♥️
“We’ve been enjoying such beautiful evening walks during our Spring100!!😍💐 So thankful for our little country lane and all the wildflowers strewn along the way!” The B. Family
“Taking a walk with my friend Haddey!!” Abby S. 🙌🏻 Love the photo!!
“Got in an enjoyable prayer walk today inspite of the rain 🤗” Melody P. — “Girl clan🥰” Yvonne W.
“Enjoying a spring day in Alaska! #Spring100 🙌” Paige C.
Elizabeth F. checking in as she grabs her miles for week 7! — “Getting some miles in with my nephews for their first Spring 100!” Rebekah M. 🙌🏻💯
“Took a walk with Amy Busby and Tristan Wilson after a church college group party! Found some animal friends along the way.” Elizabeth C.🙋🏼♀️💯
“I found some pretty flowers on my walk! :)” Bronwyn H. —“Doing Spring 100 with my daughters at a park with beautiful flowering trees and landscape!” Malinda S. 🌸🙌🏻
“Logging some miles while visiting family in the California redwoods. Never tire walking among these giants.” Kristin T. 😍🙌🏻💯 Such a gorgeous place to grab your Spring100 miles!!
Love this Spring100 Scenery from Korina S. and Remember a.!!💯😍
“Hiking in Tennessee with a Sister in Christ!” Melissa A. ♥️
“We took a nice walk in a beautiful garden near Knoxville, TN.” Elizabeth S. — Hannah P. sending in smiles as she grabs her miles!! 😄🙌🏻
“Its finally feeling like spring in Minnesota! What lovely weather for walking.” Erika M.
“Getting in some laps on our driveway on a misty day:)” Anne E. — “Enjoying the beautiful weather with little Victoria! :)” Bethany M. 🙋🏼♀️💯
“Can you spot the copperhead? The children and I came across this on a hike! Thankful for God protecting us.” Charity B. 🐍 GREAT REMINDER!! Walk safe and watch out for the snakes.🙈 🙌🏻
“Sister walk!!💞 So good to have my three older siblings back from college. 🥰” Megan J. — “After running a 5k, I decided to clock in some more miles , but walking this time 😄” Thomas M.
“I loved participating in a community 5K with my little guy this weekend! We placed 3rd overall (or 3rd and 4th depending on how you count us 😁). ” Delie H.
“Beach vacay walkin with siblings! 🏝🌊☀” Moore Family
“A Sunday afternoon walk with my sisters complete with songs from the cicadas! They are alive and well here in GA!😄” Hannah R.
“Hiking with the family at Charleston Falls, near Tipp City, OH!” Sheryl B 🙋🏼♀️💯
“Enjoyed doing one of my miles this week just around our yard, taking in the sights and smells of spring!” Lydia B. 💐💯
“Enjoying a nice walk and sweet fellowship with friends at the Michigan Scripturefest!! ❤ “ Nadia A
“A fun evening walk with friends 🤍” Victoria S. 🙋🏼♀️💯
Caitlin & Matthew N. checking in along with Emma H. and family for week 7 of the 2024 Spring100! 👏🏼🙌🏻
“Soaking up the sun on a warm afternoon in ND!!” Chelsea C.☀️
“Happy days on a beautiful hiking trail in Hamilton!” Chloe H. — “Mozzarella and Michelle hiking at Inks Lake State Park in Central Texas.” Michelle J.
Grabbing a mile in the terminal as I wait for my flight! Keep up the great work everyone. Remember to take a moment and leave a comment + encourage fellow Spring100ers!! 🙋🏼♀️💯
I started Live Oak Integrative Health to help women and their families achieve optimal health for the glory of God. I specialize in pregnancy-related health, pre/post-natal care. I provide diagnostic and lab testing to help people understand the root causes of why they are unhealthy. Then I provide holistic recommendations and coaching so that they gain back energy and health that allows them to functions well.
A huge Thank you to Live Oak Integrative Health for supporting the 2024 Spring100 Challenge!
Hannah Reed
Way to go, everyone! I love seeing all the pictures each week! A way I like to get in a little extra mileage is to take the long way. Instead of walking the .1 mile to the mailbox and back, I like to take the .3 mile loop to get a little extra done. Our driveway and the strip of road right in front of it make .3 miles so I always like to tack on that extra loop in my walk. 🙂
Keep pressing on!
Rachel @Spring100
Great tip!! Thank you for the encouragement, Hannah!! 💯🙋🏼♀️
shericlaude
All the pics each week have been so fun!!! I’ve enjoyed each of the devotions as well! Praise God for the men who have contributed to that ministry!
As for a tip for completing the walk, I guess all I can say is what works for me: I make it a solid goal and commit to it, while also acknowledging the fact that God is sovereign and may have plans of His own. 😉 I have to consciously make time for the daily walk to happen–no matter how I feel. Some days were very difficult, but I pressed through and kept going.
My new goal is a second 100 miles. If I don’t make it, that’s okay, but I’m going to try, the Lord willing. 🙂
Rachel @Spring100
“no matter how I feel” Good tip! Yes, some days I just don’t Feel like it but I am always glad I did when I finish my walk. 👏🏼
Martha Joy
Woohoo, great job, everyone!!🙌🏻 I always love seeing everyone’s pictures in each 100MileMonday post, and thank you to Mr. DeLadurantey for the devotional and encouragement to “lay aside every weight” this week!!
As for my motivation to get out and accomplish miles…lately, it’s mostly just to see those 100 miles at the finish line!🤭😅 But one simple way we’ve tried to stay a tiny bit ahead this year is by walking just a little bit over our daily quota of 1.1 miles each walk. (I know many of you are walking multiple miles a day and even already finishing as we speak, but I hope this might encourage someone who is feeling behind.) For instance, on our little country lane, we started out by walking just a mile a day, until we figured out that going a whole extra lap, gives us 1.25 miles. If you walk that every single day in a week, you gain 1.05 miles extra by the end of the week. (And whenever we can fill in with longer walks, it’s a great bonus.😀) So if you’re feeling a little behind, you might try adding in just a tiny bit extra to your daily walking distance, and you can feel encouraged that you’re actually gaining ground every day!! And for my family, we try to walk after supper each evening…having a set time of day to walk really helps us, so it doesn’t get forgotten or thrown by the wayside so easily.
Whether you’re walking 1/2 mile or 5 miles daily, keep it up, everyone! It’ll be so worth it to cross that finish line!🙌🏻 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-4)
Rachel @Spring100
SOOOOO encouraging, Martha Joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!🙌🏻♥️
Kr!st!na
Praise the Lord for all the wonderful walks everyone has been having!!! And for safety! Personally, our family observes the fourth Commandment, so almost every single week we have time to walk together as a family!!! It’s such a blessing and I recommend it!!! 😀 And I’ve noticed that even if I’m tired after a long day and just don’t feel like doing anything, that it’s amazing what just a walk in the evening can do to unwind and refocus me!!! God bless you all!!!
Rachel @Spring100
YES!!!!! Aren’t walks great for unwinding??😍 LOVE your encouragement. THANK YOU!
Laurissa Lewis
Yeah!!! They are also calming to the body. 😍 I love walking it the woods. The nature helps with your health.
Hannah
Hey y’all, been a while since I commented, but I would say that any miles are good miles! Just grab whatever you can whenever you can, and don’t stress that you can’t do the big walks.