This weekend I ran my first 25k. It was a great experience, one that I will definitely try again. It was easy to find inspiration all around. There were athletes in wheelchairs competing, a father pushing his disabled son through the race, and people wearing shirts bearing the name of a sick loved one. 

The run began easy. People were laughing and talking. It was a totally positive atmosphere. Then, at about mile 4, a young runner passed by me. She had something written on her shirt that I will never forget: "This is for my Dad. Because you can't, I will." I suddenly felt emotion well up inside me as I pictured a young girl whose father was either no longer with her or who had been stricken with illness. As the runner faded away, I began to hear Jesus say a similar message from the cross: "This is for my Dad. Because you men can't, I will." 

 Ephesians 2:1-10 explains to us that we are in desperate need of a Savior. God created us in His own image to share His life in fellowship with us. And, by choice, we have sinned and have lost connection with Him. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Therefore, Jesus has stepped in and told us, "This is for my Dad." His Dad and ours. 

Ever since I read them, I have kept repeating the words on that young girl's shirt. Those words got me through 15.5 miles on Saturday, and, in reality, that message saved me from an eternal separation from God. Thank You, Jesus, for saying, "This is for my Dad. Because you can't, I will."