So, you probably completed at least 1,000 tasks yesterday, right? Do you feel significant yet? This morning during my run time with God, as I thought about and thanked Him for yesterday, last night, and this morning, He reminded me of a great truth. 
               Although I worked hard yesterday to get a lot of things done:  I got my Canterbury tales project created, I shared resources with my fellow teachers, I finished getting essays graded, I lesson planned HARD during my planning period,  none of that gives me significance.  I heard a great devotional yesterday about being blessed, I started the College Prep students on a great novel audio, I gave my wife a S.H.M.I.L.Y reminder, I had a good discussion with my daughter, I ran hard this AM, I helped my step-son with write a poem for homework, but none of that gives me significance. 
               Significance is found in my motive and proactive decision to give God ALL of me.  It is found in the mindset that is created between Us before all of this starts. It is found when I give Him the first minutes of my day.  It is found in the moment that He accepts my obedience and sacrifice  to meet Him. It is found in the inspiration that He gives me in return  that allows me to do those things and that makes me consistently significant.  

     "Sometimes your feel like a nut; sometimes you don't. Almond Joys got nuts, Mounds don't, because…" This is one of my favorite old school candy bar jingles because its message is one that crosses over so eloquently into our day to day lives.  
     Sometimes the VICTORY is won by simply pressing past how your feel in order to activate your Faith! We don't always feel like getting out of the bed for a morning run or a morning devotional or a morning anything.  It is in these times that we have to take the advice of the Apostle Paul. "...But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." While our human nature begs and craves for its natural desires, as Christians, we must remember that we "walk by Faith and not by sight." 
     Simply pressing our way past our feelings and tapping into our Faith is a strong start to a day that could otherwise be disastrous.  If you find yourself in a press today as you wake up, I want to encourage you to tap into your FAITH! Let it guide your Feelings! That is where God is waiting to meet you; it is here that He will begin to encourage you.  You just have to keep running in order to get there.  
     Sing a song,  say an audible prayer, do something that connects your feelings with your Faith.  Hello Faith; I'd like to introduce you to my feelings this morning! BLESSINGS

     4:00 AM -- My internal alarm clock has chosen this time to begin telling me that its time to turn over a new leaf.  After laying there looking at the clock for about 15 minutes, I start to sense the cares of the world ruminating in the back rooms of my mind.  Thus, before they can reach my living quarters, I roll out of the bed, get dressed and start my morning run. Now, I have to tell you that I don't always feel like running, and often times my Running Partner doesn't meet me until after the first 100-150 steps.  He does that to make sure I am serious; I am sold on the fact that God only moves toward those who are moving towards Him.  He shows up, 'right on time', and begins to transform my mind while I am running.  Some mornings, like this morning, I wish that He would show up and begin speaking to me as I walk out the door, but that is rarely the case.  
     This particular morning it didn't happen until the latter part of my two miles.  As I ran through the sounds of 'Christian Run Music Vol. 3', thoughts about issues from yesterday ran through my mind…but I Just Kept Running.  A praise and worship issue; "How will you handle that?"…Just Keep Running! Lesson plans for today's AP class; "What will you do to ensure learning?"…Just Keep Running! Don't forget to make that phone call that you failed to make yesterday; "When will you make it?"…Just Keep Running? You need to reward those around you in order to ensure continued growth and success; "How will you do that?"…Just Keep Running! "I created you to worship; create an opportunity for communication, keep me first, and I'll speak through you…Now Just Keep Running! You know this poem and it goes right along with your unit. One of your students even suggested it the other day; now implement it…Now Just Keep Running! Make yourself a note on your phone calendar to remind you to make the call; I've already spoken with her…Now Just Keep Running! I am a rewarder of those who diligently seek me, and so you should be too.  That's a good thing…Now, Just Keep Running!" 
     By the time I am finished running, I am revived, renewed, refreshed, and reinvigorated. And though my lungs are at full capacity, my legs are a little wobbly, and I am a little winded, I have physically jumpstarted my day while God has spiritually done the same; all I had to do was take Forrest Gump's advice and "Just Keep on Runnin!" 
     BE ENCOURAGED this morning as you begin your terrestrial journey! Know that as you start, He who has begun in you is faithful and just to complete it.  He will meet you, but you too have to Just Keep Running! BLESSINGS and have a SUPER-FANTASTIC DAY Friend!