by Melissa Sharp
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me… to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
On July 24, 2025, the Albuquerque Journal published a stunning story: “New Mexico State Runner Crushes Ultramarathon Course.” The article reported that 20-year-old Thomas Croshaw, a track and field athlete for New Mexico State University, won the Life Time Silver Rush 50-mile race in Leadville, Colorado, on July 12. Known as one of the nation’s most grueling courses, Croshaw finished in an astonishing 6 hours, 36 minutes, and 40 seconds—the second-fastest time ever recorded there on that course.
Even more incredible: he crossed the finish line smiling. Later, he explained, “I really didn’t feel all that tired. My legs, of course, felt like they ran a long way, but since I fueled well and was getting calories to continue burning, my legs never ran out of gas.” Croshaw emphasized one of the most overlooked aspects of ultrarunning: nutrition. “You have to get a lot of fuel in,” he said. “Training the stomach to be able to handle that was another big part.”
As both a longtime ultrarunner and a running coach, I couldn’t agree more. This truth hit home before my first 100-mile race when I asked an experienced ultrarunner, “What’s the best advice you can give me?” She replied, “Address your nutritional needs before they address you.”
That wisdom has served me well on the race course. But it has also become a cornerstone of my spiritual life.
Fueling for the Spiritual Race
If we want to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1), we must not only shed excess weight but also keep our eyes fixed on Jesus to stay energized, motivated, and steady. Just as a runner needs constant fuel, believers need continual spiritual nourishment.
Our “fuel” is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, which we receive through the gift of salvation. We stay filled by feasting daily on God’s Word. Acts 1:8 makes it clear: we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, enabling us to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” But that power needs to be tapped into and maintained.
When we neglect our spiritual nutrition—skipping time in prayer, ignoring Scripture, or forsaking worship—we risk running out of strength for the mission God has given us. We burn out. We lose focus. We run aimlessly.
Training Yourself to Refuel Daily
Just as Croshaw trained his body to take in calories mid-race, we must train our hearts and minds to take in God’s truth throughout the day. That means:
- Reading the Word daily in large portions to feed your soul.
- Meditating on Scripture—small “bites” repeated and savored throughout your day.
- Listening to the Spirit’s direction—letting God’s truth guide every step. Keep in mind: the Spirit will not likely direct you in the unwritten path unless you’re already living in obedience to the written Word.
If you find yourself spiritually weary or “out of gas,” open your Bible and start feasting. Let God’s Word restore your strength, renew your mind, and ignite your passion for the mission He’s called you to. When we learn to address our spiritual needs before a crises, we run with joy—just like a well-fueled runner crossing the finish line smiling.
Reflection Thought:
Am I fueling my spiritual life daily, or am I trying to run on empty? How would my witness change if I treated time in God’s Word to be as essential as food and water?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gives us power to run the race You’ve set before us. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to serve You without first fueling my spirit in Your presence. Teach me to hunger for Your Word and to keep my soul filled with truth, so I will not run out of strength. Give me discipline to seek You daily, and joy to serve You wherever You send me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Happy Running!
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.
