Why Run?

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." - Inspirational sign on a runner's office wall

I am up early this morning getting ready to run my first road race of the year. Its an annual 3.1 mile (5K) road race held by a local running store. Yesterday, I decided to take a 'rest' day to give my body a break after running a difficult eight miler on Thursday. I was going to run, but after waking up in the morning and feeling like I was hit by a freight train, well, I figured I might as well relax for a day. This ole body doesn't seem to respond like it used to. I 'feel' like an eighteen year old, at least in my mind, but my body is forever reminding me that those days have passed and the big FIVE O is just around the corner. Thursday as I was running, a thought raised up within me about my running and exercising. There just seems to be this battle that rages within me. Why run? I mean its not like I have a multi-million dollar contract with Nike or something. I don't have to run and try to stay in shape. I don't have to get up early, drive a good thirty miles away, shiver my way to the start line, and run a road race this morning! Why run? Why do this to myself? A lot of people in church and friends outside of church wonder the same thing about me. Why or how come you continue to do that to yourself?

Immediately, a few scriptures come to my mind, when I begin to think this way. "And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1 Corinthians 9:23-25) Though I am running in the natural, there is no doubt it parallels my run for the Lord. I mean, isn't 'why run?' the same question asked within and without? Not only do you battle your own inner demons concerning life and your soul, but you battle the multitudes who can't see past their appetites and beyond the momentary gains of their senses. As they eat everything sensual that comes their way, like king david, you can almost slip by mere observation! As you continually restrain yourself and allow yourself to be constrained, you can begin to wonder if it is worth it all! But in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, you realize that life is far more than satisfying your palate and fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life! Over twenty some years ago the lord called me out of darkness and into his marvelous light, not to be a failure, but to show forth his incorruptible glory in this corruptible flesh!

There is no doubt in my mind my running in the natural has its parallels with my spiritual journey. The pitfalls I have encountered in trying to remain dedicated and disciplined to running has helped to reveal many things about myself. Strengths and weaknesses have been exposed, all for the working of my good! "I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought." (Arthur Blank)

So, here I sit in my car trying to stay warm on this first road race of 2010. I run to obtain the most out of life, naturally and spiritually! Today I will finish this 5k road race and I will receive a prize. Because not only is He the Author of this race, He also the Finisher! As a well known runner and author John Bingham said, "What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the days gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate." Jesus first love me and showed me the way! He robed himself in sinful flesh and took up His cross! Many enjoy discussing the power of His resurrection but do not understand its divine connection with the fellowship of His sufferings! Life is far more than what our carnal senses can offer us and there are worlds to see that cannot be perceived from the seat of the living room couch. Most shun the agony and grotesque consequences of the cross, failing to see beyond the pain! Like the Greeks, they stumble at the inability to step beyond their mythological gods, who would have never offered themselves a living sacrifice, and the Jew who was too smart for their own good! Yes, there truly is nothing new under the sun! As it was in the days of Jesus, the same mindset seems so prevalent today!

So, now I am ready to be delivered into the hands of a cold Michigan morning! But I know and am assured that I do not run alone! As I run I cast my mind toward the finish line, knowing by faith, it is there and in a not too distant future I will cross it! I will lay aside the layered clothing, and any weight that may hinder me from obtaining my vision! For in my patience, I know He will possess my soul until the end! See you at the finish line!