by Melissa Sharp
“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
At the end of the summer, a timely news story caught my attention: “Central Arkansas runners brave heat with safety in mind.” In the middle of a relentless heatwave sweeping across the Midwest, many runners were wisely retreating indoors. But not all. Around 6 p.m., as the heat index surged past 100 degrees, the committed members of Rock City Running in Little Rock prioritized hydration, laced up, and gathered for their usual group workout—despite the official heat advisory in effect.
One of those runners, Annette Blanton, explained how she prepares: “It’s Arkansas—it’s humid, it’s hot—but you learn how to prepare for it. Hydration is a process. You can’t just drink 16 ounces of water right before a run and expect to be fine. That just causes sloshing in the belly.” She went on to share how she hydrates steadily throughout the day, alternating between water and electrolytes, and sips during the run instead of gulping. She always carries a handheld water bottle in the summer heat.
Annette takes hydration seriously—because she knows the cost of neglecting it. Her preparation isn’t random; it’s deliberate. And her commitment to staying hydrated is exactly why she can keep running even when the conditions are brutal.
It struck me: Isn’t that exactly what we need as believers?
We, too, are running a race—but it’s a spiritual one. And just like the physical body needs water, the soul needs Living Water—daily, steady, intentional hydration through time spent in God’s presence.
Without that constant refreshment, we become spiritually fatigued—worn down by the heat of trials, pressures, and distractions. A single gulp of Scripture on Sunday won’t sustain us for the long haul. We need a steady intake: God’s Word, prayer, worship, and reflection—not as a box to check, but as communion with the One who sustains us. Jesus told the woman at the well:
“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst…” John 4:13–14
When the Bible says, “In His presence is fullness of joy,” it is not just talking about a quick fix or temporary encouragement, but rather, a sustaining, enduring delight that carries us through even the most sweltering seasons. The refreshing presence of God gives us the endurance, clarity, peace, and strength to keep running well.
So, friend, if you’ve been feeling spiritually sluggish, maybe it’s time to evaluate your hydration habits. Are you sipping steadily from the presence of the Lord? Or are you trying to sprint through the heat of life on a single gulp from the past?
Let today be the day you re-commit yourself—to consistent spiritual hydration. It takes time. It requires discipline. But the benefits? They’re eternal.
Reflection Thought:
You can’t expect to run strong if your soul is dry. Make spiritual hydration a daily commitment—not out of duty, but because the joy and strength of God’s presence are worth every effort.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we cannot run the race set before us without the spiritual hydration only Your presence provides. Help us to commit to daily time with You, Lord, that we might be refreshed, strengthened, and filled with Your joy. Thank You for being the source of life, endurance, and eternal delight. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen.
Happy running—both physically and spiritually!
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
