An Ever Present Help

“Lucy Ndungu is headed to Hayward in the 10K, finishing 11th with a time of 34:23.39!” That was the news coming out of Fayetteville, Arkansas at the NCAA West Regionals this week.

Lucy’s exuberant joy and radiant spirit of praise came after an agonizingly painful experience. It was about half way through the 24 laps required of her that she was hurting so bad that she felt like she was going to have to quit. She did not know if she could keep the fast pace of the other runners.

It was at that crucial moment when Lucy felt that there was no hope that a friend called out, “Lucy, He is your rock!” And, then on the next lap, “Lucy can do all things through Jesus! ALL things.”

She began to sense the presence of God and her legs began to awaken to a renewed strength. On most of the laps that followed, the friend would offer encouraging affirmations and quote Scripture.

“You will (run) with wings like eagles!” “Hallelujah, Praise Him. Praise Jesus!”

When the pain threatened her hope to continue, the Word of God revealed the presence of One who has promised to be “an ever present help in times of trouble.”

Lucy dug deep and began to pick off the runners ahead of her. It wasn’t easy and they didn’t just step aside for her. She had to fight and fight over and over again.

When she crossed the finish line she wasn’t quite sure where she had placed. But, then, she saw it. Lucy was number 11 of 12 qualifiers for Nationals in Eugene, Oregon.

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭