The Struggle is Real

As college students, I'm sure we have all heard this at least once. Why? Because it is true. The struggle is very real!

I, along with the rest of Winthrop, are faced with tests, papers, drama, peer pressure, laundry, tight budgets and not to mention Thomson food and Ramen noodles on a daily basis. To throw in another factor, as a student-athlete it is even more difficult to manage time correctly.

Having 6:30 am practice on Tuesday's and Thursday's completely drains me. Then sleep deprivation comes and sleeping is all I want to do.

With all of these struggles, I find my biggest struggle is maintaining a relationship with God. In the past two weeks I haven't attended campus ministry, even though I made it a priority at the beginning of the year. I haven't cracked open my Bible, and I have not prayed near enough as I should be.

The need for sleep and stressing about the next test clouds my judgement more than anything. I have seen this with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ too.

I know as Christians, the Bible tells us to cast all of our anxieties on the Lord and he will take care of us, but why does that not feel like enough sometimes? I think I'm slowly starting to learn the answer.

To allow God to sustain us during our most stressful times, we must be fully committed to him with our hearts and minds.

Instead of simply asking God, "Dear Lord, please help me get an A on this test", it is important to live that relationship with God on a daily basis. It is important that God is centered in your life and He will never let you fall.

So how do we put God at the center when everything else feels like it's more important, especially when it feels like our future depends on it?

I am not expert at this but here are some things I will begin doing:

• Read a devotional from my Bible for every day of the week before I go to bed.
• Make study time, then set aside a few minutes of self meditating and reflection.
• Find someone to hold me accountable. Accountability is huge in leading a Godly life.
• Constantly remind myself that God should be my number 1 priority and nothing else.

I am in no means saying that every problem will vanish by doing these things, but God is always there and He will certainly help.

Proverbs 16:3 say's, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

Yes, the struggle is real, but as this busy week of tests and papers come up, I hope to commit to my studies, but most importantly commit to the Lord.

Do not get me wrong... I am still stressing about my tests but this has given me some peace of mind.

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Why the World Needs More Captain America's

Everyone knows who Captain America is by now, right? The guy dressed in the ridiculous costume sporting stars and stripes that runs around with an indestructible shield fighting bad guys. Personally, I am a huge fan.

To give a little history, Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers, was created in the 1940's during WWII created to represent the struggle of the US against the Axis Powers. Being a classic piece of wartime propaganda, the comics were a huge success in America.

The character resurfaced in the 1960's and has been big ever since. The Captain made his way to mainstream audiences with the success of The Avengers movies, and now his popularity is bigger than ever.

What is it about Steve Rogers that makes him sit well so many people? I think his good old fashioned moral code is a huge factor. What separates Cap from any other superhero (with the exception of maybe Superman) is that he simply does the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

Take any other hero and they have have a tragic back story enabling them to do good and fight crime. For example, Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered in front of him or Peter Parker's uncle was shot after Peter had the chance to stop him.

Steve Rogers was born a humble kid with a heart of gold. Rogers naturally disliked bullies and had the utmost respect for his peers. After being deemed too scrawny to enlist in the U.S. army, he volunteered for the Super Soldier program. This did not make him superhuman, but it made him stronger and faster to the 9th degree.

Powers wise, the Captain has nothing on the Hulk or Thor but he sure knows how to lead. He knows exactly the course of action that needs to happen to reach a certain goal. The fact that he is not superhuman makes him relatable.

Although Captain America is never called a Christian because that would not be considered "politically correct" in today's world, there are subtle things in his long history and in the movies that hint at it. His actions can be considered Godly too. Him being a Christian would not affect my liking for the character anymore but it is something else to admire!

Captain America is the embodiment of human good. He is also the most relatable in that he isn't a billionaire playboy like Iron Man and he isn't out of his mind like Batman. He is a man that is grounded in reality.

Yes... Captain America is a flag-waving, apple pie eating boy scout, but a "man out of time" like Captain America is exactly what we need in the 21st century to restore civility and respect into our personal lives and our politics.

Not to say we literally need a superhero like Cap to come save the world, but rather society, including myself, should practice his moral code, his attitude, and his chivalry to help make the world a better place. Also, we should begin doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do with no other motive or hidden agenda. Some may argue the Captain's ethics are too old-fashioned, but I see them as timeless.

The writer of Cap's most recent incarnation in 2012 describes him perfectly: Captain America “is a patriotic soldier, directed by a personal ethical compass, belief in the American dream and faith in his fellow man ... He can punch bad people and jump through glass. He’s the person you wish you were.”

The Most Important Race of All

I'm not sure if you know this but throughout the bible, life is compared to a race quite often. What started as a simple name for my blog because I enjoyed running turned into something much deeper the more I researched. As I have pointed out in my previous post, my personal favorite verse pertaining to this subject is Hebrews 12:1-2.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

Let me explain. Life is not a race in that we are trying to breeze through it as fast as we can without looking back to reach the final destination. 

Life is a race in that there is a beginning and an end and human beings are constantly racing to God. 

Every high you have, every low you have, and every prayer you make is all part of the race of faith.

Guess what the reward is? Spending eternity with our Father in Heaven. There is no greater prize.

I'm not going to say that I have run the race my best at every point in my life. In fact, I've been hindered many times but, luckily, I have a loving Father who is there to point me in the right path (something I can't say about actual cross country races).

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Some more great verses to read about "the race"!

2 Timothy 2:5
2 Timothy 4:7
Philippipians 3:12-14

Why Do I Run?

Every time I tell someone "I like to run" the response I get is usually one of confusion. This response is completely justified since everyone knows running is not fun, especially in the summer time.

Growing up, I always admired endurance athletes. I thought it was amazing that someone could run 26.2 miles continuously. What is truly stunning is ultra marathoners, like Dean Karnazes, that run hundreds of miles on end without stopping.

Lance Armstrong was another hero of mine, although not now because everyone knows he was a fraud (this whole topic is for another time).

These athletes caught my eye more than a Lebron James or Peyton Manning. Lebron and Manning certainly have an amazing amount of talent but what impresses me about endurance athletes is the mental will and discipline it takes to reach that level of condition.

When I reached middle school, I jumped on the opportunity to join track with a push from my parents. I wanted to aspire to be something great, to be in the best shape of my life. With that in mind, I pushed myself as hard as I could.

I found something that I was decent at and more importantly that I enjoyed. 

Aspiring to become an athlete of endurance physically and mentally was the reason I started running. I still run because I discovered it gave me great personal satisfaction.

A philosophy of mine (one that my father taught me) is that God made humans in a way that by putting in hard work, 99 percent of the time good comes out of it. It's like His reward system.

After I complete a hard workout successfully, whether its running, swimming, biking, I get a feeling of euphoria like no other. A lot of people know this as "runner's high". Yes, it is a real thing.

Who needs drugs when you can get high naturally? Seriously!

Along with attaining "runner's high", the main thing I get out of running is personal achievement, knowing I've done something of use for the day and also knowing I'm only benefiting my body.

I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I never took up running. It is my personal escape and always will be (at least I hope so).

Just to tie this in with Christ, since He is at the forefront of my life, here is one of my favorite bible versus that relates to running, metaphorically of course.

"Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1

My Story

A couple years ago, I came into college as a mass communication major. I remember just thinking "I can't wait to be a broadcast on TV! I'm going to be so famous!"

I was also excited for a fresh start. I was anxious to meet new people and I would be running cross country/track pumped for the opportunity to improve and become the runner I dreamed of.

Well things changed and my mindset went quickly downhill.

The first shocker I received was making a C- on my first paper for writing 101. After this, I quickly realized college was not going to be the breeze high school was. I was struggling in my Spanish class, math class, and even mass. comm. class.

Running cross country was a lot of fun. My teammates were cool and my coach knew what he was talking about.

There was just one problem.

I was not improving one bit. I was consistently in the back on workouts and races. Practice started to become not enjoyable.

On top of dealing with an unhealthy relationship and some other factors, I was miserable at Winthrop.

Christmas break came around and I was relieved to be home with my family. My family has always been my biggest support group. It was such a relief to come back to them.

Around Christmas, I was hit with another blow. After going to the doctor for a sore throat and headache, I was diagnosed with mono (this probably had something to do with my terrible season). This meant that I could not run for 3 months on top of feeling under the weather.

I did not want to go back to school. Period.

The spring semester came around and I returned to school unwillingly. I continued to make mediocre grades, this being my fault. I also shut myself off socially.

I was so distant from my friends and teammates because I did not want to deal with people. I did not want to talk about anything in my life at that point. I drove home every weekend desperate to escape.

I was so thankful when summer came around and the time I spent with my family. My days consisted of working, training, and making myself stronger.

Notice at this point I have not mentioned anything about my relationship with Christ. My freshman year I planned on getting involved in campus ministry but I kept making excuses for myself out of laziness.

What started as laziness became me intentionally avoiding God's calls. At the time, I was dealing with other issues and feeling I was so deep into sin, there was no point in turning to God, even when He was the only one that could fill the void inside me.

You are probably wondering by now if there is any good out of this story. Let me assure you there is.

That summer, I forgot how good it felt to go to church every Sunday and have that reminder of His love for me weekly. It was a good time to clear my mind from everything that had happened the previous school year.

Although still not excited for my sophomore year I came in with a positive mindset. I recovered from mono, I was in a better place spiritually, and I was single once more. I felt many of the burdens of the previous year were washed away and it truly felt like a fresh start.

The first week of team bonding in the mountains was awesome. I never really appreciated my teammates until that week in the mountains. I felt like I belonged.

The first week of school, my sister Janet told me about a campus ministry called CSF that she attended at Winthrop. Since I knew David, the leader of CSF, I quickly jumped at the opportunity to go that Wednesday.

As I sat and observed everyone in the room, I realized that these young adults are passionate to learn about the Gospel just like me. As David began to delve into the Bible, as cheesy as it sounds, I could hear God saying "Welcome home Allen".

Soon after, I got involved in FCA which is another great campus ministry.

I saw vast improvement in my running career. My 8K PR dropped by over a minute and my 5K PR dropped more than 30 seconds. I felt healthy, I felt strong, and I could not have had more confidence.

Not to mention, I met a girl who I am in love with still to this day. I could not have dreamed of a more kind, caring, and God fearing girl. She motivated me to keep up with my studies while also holding me accountable spiritually.

Sophomore year flew by and my summer was more or less the same as the previous summer except I was living in Rock Hill.

This brings me to where I am today and the reason I am writing this blog. As graduation gets closer, my fear of what is ahead gets stronger. The thoughts of "How am I getting a job straight out of college?","What if I disappoint my family and friends?", constantly cross my mind.

I have decided to resurrect my blog because 1) I enjoy writing, 2) writing will be important in my field, therefore, it is important to practice, 3) and last I hope to gain back the spark I once had for journalism.

Also, it is a good way to reflect and hopefully bring me closer to God. Even though I am in a better place than I was, I still constantly seek His love and grace.

In closing, I'll say this. No matter the circumstances, no matter how hopeless, lost and confused you feel, you are never past the point of saving. The Lord is there with his arms wide open waiting to embrace you, waiting to fill you up with His love.

God loves you unconditionally.

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8