Week 12 of the 2024 Spring100 is complete and we’ve entered week 13!! 10 days remain in this 2024 Spring100 Challenge. For those who are still working toward that 100-mile goal, you’re rounding the corner and the finish line is in sight! VICTORY is ahead. 👏🏼 Finish strong by God’s grace and in His strength! So many are already at the finish line cheering you on and I can’t wait to see you here. Our final day to walk or run Spring100 miles is June 20th!! 🙌🏻💯
Spring100 WEEK 12 Stats:
👉🏼Total Finishers to date: 972
👉🏼 Total Miles Walked for the 2024 Spring100 to date: 255,107.95
Spring100 Featured Photographer: Jonathan Fell
Spring100 Devotional
The Grace To Finish Strong
Mr David Covey || Week 12
Uzziah was the king who ruled over Judah, the nation that used to be part of greater Israel before its civil war. He may have lived thousands of years ago, but he would have fit well into contemporary American culture. The reason he would fit well is because we are all about starting the new most popular trend or starting the next most successful wealth building scheme. Uzziah started a lot of successful projects, but in the end, the key question is, did he finish strong?
We all started these 100 miles to walk in the cool of the spring, but now it’s not so cool. As I wipe the sweat from my brow ten steps into our walk, I’m reminded of this intense temperature. Although Esther, my wife, is experiencing the same heat walking beside me, I still feel obligated to express my power of observation in words and say, “wow, it’s hot”. Yeah, I know she knows it is hot but I just feel better after stating the obvious. But the point is, it was easy to start in the cool of the Spring, now the question is who will finish strong in the heat of almost summer? Even more important than Spring 100 is the race of life. As Paul says, “run in such a way that you may win” 1 Cor. 9:24.
Uzziah had a long race, and he was great, right from the start. Scripture puts it like this in verses 2 Chron. 26:5-6:
And he [Uzziah] did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. And he continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.
Uzziah restored the key coastal city of Eloth, a strategic naval base, he defeated major enemy cities, and he oversaw huge construction projects in the capitol city. How can you help but be impressed by a man of this caliber? You look at his life and you say, “this guy not only had potential, but he pulled it off.” Today he would be called an entrepreneur…a success. You’d hear his name mentioned with winners.
But verse 15 comes next and is what I heard someone call a “hinge” verse in this story. It’s certainly a hinge verse in the life of this man, Uzziah.
Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.
Did you note the word “until”? Uzziah was God’s man. He followed God’s ways and pursued God’s friendship. Until he was strong.
Until.
Until something happened.
Until something changed.
Until he turned in another direction.
Verse 16 continues…
But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God.
Unless I miss my guess, I’d say the number one reason Uzziah ran into that terrible “until” was that he began to spend more time and attention on the external rather than the eternal.
Friends, we can fill our lives with busyness and always respond to the necessity of the urgent, but to finish strong we must stay reliant on the grace of God not our own strength. Anything we think we have achieved is only because God has allowed us to accomplish it. True success is often never seen with human eyes. Success in God’s economy is walking faithfully before him and continuing to seek His face.
I pray you started this race well, but mostly I pray that we all finish this race well. Do not get worried or discouraged. Do not get bored or disenchanted because holiness is not praised by the world. Stay the course. Our heavenly Father is who we aim to please. Many start off well in the beginning but in the long routine of life begin to fall off course. Keep your eyes on Christ and run with endurance the race set before you.
In the end, I pray we all finish strong because God’s grace is sufficient.
ATTENTION! Now is the time to leave an encouraging comment to all your fellow Spring100ers. Spur them on toward their 100-mile goal and, more importantly, spur them on in The Lord!! Leave a Comment of encouragement below👇🏼
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!
“We had a super fun hike with friends at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!” Elisabeth M. 👏🏼💯
“The challenge this year has been an answer to prayer in happily and memorably burning energy. Such fun to do together! Excited for next year, hopefully with at least two of the muffins on foot! 🎉” S. Crew — “Samantha F. made 100 this week!” WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!💯🙌🏻🥳
“My dog and I enjoyed getting a few more miles in this week.” Joseph T. 🐕🦺🙋🏼♀️
“Walking with ScriptureFest friends surrounded by beauty in the CO mountains!” Darlene A. ⛰💯
“Finished up my 100 miles on a beautiful, morning walk with some of my siblings!”
“Cant believe we are in the final 10 miles! This has been so much fun! I definitely want to continue.” Mary R.👏🏼 — “Evening walk with the sis😀” Naomi S. ♥️
“A fun early morning hike with the siblings! 🥰”
“Got in a quick 26.2 miles! 😅” Luker 🥇
“I made it to 100 miles! My littles accompanied me for most of it in our trusty double stroller. ;)” Susan F. 🙌🏻🥳💯 WAY TO GO!!!! Congratulations!!!!
“Getting some more miles while visiting the Black Hills!” Darleen W. — “Getting a lovely morning walk in☺” Susanna D. 🙋🏼♀️👏🏼
“Walking when I can while on a retreat in East Texas! (Weather permitting we have had some pretty wild storms this week!)” Anne E. 🙌🏻 Good job!!
“Night runs with friends are the best!!🙌🏼” Natilyn H. —“Had to say goodbye to our 14 yr. old Golden Retriever today. He provided us with so much joy and was an enthusiastic walking companion.” Sherri S 🙏🏼❤️🩹
“Got in a mile with some friends. We were also able to take some time to bird watch. Gods creation is amazing! 😍🪺🦅” Hannah P.
“My siblings took me hiking to this beautiful spot in Kansas for my birthday.” Naomi S. 🎉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
“We’ve so enjoyed every walk we’ve taken together for Spring100! Thank you! 😊” The Haabs 🙏🏼 Praise the Lord! ALWAYS a blessing to have you part of this challenge!!
“Been some great walks in with my sweet sister! We saw this really unique tree while walking a trail the other evening! Talk about determination to be all you can be no matter the obstacles!☺” Ruth S.
“Finally crossed the finish line!!!! Yay!!!” Jane F. 🙌🏻💯🎉 WELL DONE!!!!!
“Enjoyed a nice run, and then fed our calf. 💯💜 “ Victoria F. — “The joys of living in the city are that you can get some miles in and get groceries for dinner at the same time!” Kristin T. 🙋🏼♀️
“Grabbing some miles with my Mom while we visit Taiwan together!” Kari W.😍 What an incredible Spring100 walking location!!
“Levi was excited to finish Spring100 this week!🥳🎉💯” WAY TO GO!!!!!!🙌🏻👏🏼🎉– Joy K. checking in for week 12 as she grabs her miles with a crew of cute kiddos!! 😊
“Lehman crew enjoying some great family time and an afternoon hike at largo springs in MI!😁”
“A sweet sister walk!” Averey F. — “SO EXCITED to have finished my FIRST spring 100 ever!!! I have had so much fun competing with friends and family members!” Valor D. 👏🏼💯🎉 WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!
“Had a couple companions join us for our beautiful evening walk! 😁” Jennifer S.
“Enjoying a lovely Spring100 walk with a friend virtually!” Grace S.👏🏼 — “Having fun walking 👍🏻” Kelly M.
“While walking 9 miles, we came across a policeman that talked to us, a turtle and a snake that couldnt talk to us, and some geese that hissed at us. 😁” KT C.
“Morning walk in SW Manitoba With Asa and Aiden. These boys are trying to get their last 25 and 14 miles!” Amber N. 👏🏼🙏🏼 YOU GOT THIS!
Ruth grabbing a Selfie with sisters as they conquer their Spring100 miles together! 👏🏼
“Foggy morning today! These morning walks have been a sweet time to listen to the Bible while I walk. Im so grateful for this challenge and all the ways its growing me!” Hannah R. 🙏🏼♥️ Praise the Lord!
“Getting some miles in with a sweet friend in the Smoky Mountains!”🙋🏼♀️
“Ive been enjoying walks with my horse. Its good exercise for both of us” Elizabeth W. — “Our adventure walk took us through a drainpipe 😂” Gideon M.
“Hiking at P J Hoffmaster State Park” Sarah P.
“Grabbing some miles at the WISCO Mile meet!” Fell family 🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️
“Finished Spring 100 today! Definitely am going to continue walking though❣” Hannah P. 💯👏🏼🙌🏻🎉 CONGRATULATIONS!!
Elizabeth & Lydia F. enjoying SPring100 miles together for week 12!! 🙋🏼♀️♥️
“Three finishers from our family this week!” Amy C. 👏🏼💯🎉 — “Adam finished the Spring 100 with the Fargo 5K on May 31st!” 🙌🏻💯🥳 WELL DONE!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
“Hi fives all around! Weve all completed the Spring 100! Huge praise on May 23 at about mile 80 my husband lost his job and we were trying to decide if we should get the tshirts this year. By Gods grace, he received a really great job offer this week and will be starting June 17! Cant wait to get our shirts and support the Spring 100 ministry. 🙌🏻🤗” Charity B. 🙏🏼🙌🏻💯 PRAISE THE LORD indeed!! Way to go B. family. YOU DID IT!!!!!!🙋🏼♀️🎉
“We walked through some storms this week here in VA (we dont recommend doing that it happened by accident, haha). Thank the Lord for His protection! ⛈ 👏” — “Taking a late afternoon Sunday walk with my cousins!!” Abby. S
“Walking with some nieces❤” Lucy
Was soooo blessed to be able to walk Rebekah’s final Spring100 miles with her this past week!! Summer weather is kicking in and we are now working on grabbing extra miles after sunset. It has been such a beautiful Spring100 to date! The Lord has blessed it and I am so thankful. 10 more days left in this challenge! FINISH STRONG!!!!!!! I am praying for you all. 🙏🏼💯🙋🏼♀️
This week’s post is brought to you by:
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A huge Thank you to Beautiful Bathtub for supporting the 2024 Spring100 Challenge!
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Hannah Reed
Way to go, everyone! It has been such a joy participating in the Spring100 challenge again this year and seeing everybody’s smiling faces each week in the blog posts! So proud of each of you for your endurance in this challenge, and I encourage you to keep exercising your body and soul to the glory of God.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
Can’t wait to do this again next year!🥳
DJ
KEEP ON GOING!!!!!! Y’all are so close. Even if you don’t make it to 100 miles, see how many you can get before the deadline!🙌🏻
Michelle
Keep on keeping on:):):) Every mile has blessed your body and encouraged your spirit and given your Spring great flavor!!! For all of you within reach whether easily or not just push it out…you’ll be so glad you did:) For those who have too many miles to go, just keep going and make the 100 your goal no matter how long it takes. Take great joy and encouragement that you “CAN do all things through Christ who gives you strength”! Amen? Amen!!!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🥳🙏🏼💗
shericlaude
Athletes usually press forward at the very last of a physical contest. Ten days to go!! I can almost hear the cheering at the finish line for those who are coming in strong, or just struggling to cross the line!! I’m in the crowd! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
Congrats to all who have crossed the finish line!!!
Sherri S. and family, I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet golden lab. I know he will be missed.
And, once again, the devotion is excellent on King Uzziah. “Until he was strong…” I love Mr. David Covey’s observation: “…he began to spend more time and attention on the external rather than the eternal.” So true! He began to rely on himself and look to the world, rather than the Lord God. Mr. Covey brought out the fact that everything we are and have, comes from God. When we forget that–and pat our own backs–we are going to stumble hard.