Running My Race

As many folks in the south Charlotte/Park Road region have discovered, I am a runner. Many a conversation with a new acquaintance of mine has started with, “I think I saw you running outside near….” Yes, that’s me. And while we’re on the subject: men of Charlotte, why do you honk at me while I’m running?! I appreciate the holler, but really….it ain’t that pretty! Besides, it scares me a little bit!

I love the freedom of running, the rush, and the time to clear my head of thoughts and talk to God. Which has caused me to come to a major revelation:

I think God is a runner.

Or, at least, He really understands and identifies with runners. Look, it’s even in the Bible.

One of my favorite verses written by David states, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (Ps 119:32). I also love “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Heb 12:1)

I’ve been meditating on these verses during my frequent south Charlotte runs, and I just love them! It always amazes me how God speaks to me and relates to me in so many different ways, all through His Word.

Despite the pain, sweat, falls (yes, I’ve fallen down several times while running), and cramps, running gives me an amazing sense of freedom. I feel lighter, physically and spiritually. I feel more alive, more myself. I can’t worry about the steps behind me or the steps ahead; I have to focus on the step I take in the present. The rhythm, the familiarity, the ease of the run is soothing and renewing to my soul. As I train to become a stronger runner (ie, not embarrass myself on Park Road), I grow in perseverance, physically and mentally. You can’t give up when you’re running; I’ve had to run 4 miles back to my car with blood running down my leg from a fall on occasion.

The same skills, perseverance, and determination required for running are required for our growth in our individual walks with Christ. As I grow in my faith, I still metaphorically fall down...quite regularly. Spiritual growth hurts, physically, emotionally, and sometimes socially, just like training for a half marathon really hurts. Christians train themselves in spiritual disciplines, based on their God-given bents and skills, to become a stronger in their faith. You can’t give up, even when you feel tired, attacked, or just slow for the day.

God’s Word has given me the same freedom as running, when I’ve learned to abide in it. Through grace, trust in God, and the experiences God has given me, I’ve learned to trust the rhythm of the Word, the familiarity, the simplicity, the peace of ‘the run.’ Once you begin to glimpse that freedom, you do desire to run in the path of God’s commands. I’ve noticed that I am training myself more and more to run with God. Some days I am faster, wimpier, stronger, or more fatigued; but every day I know whose race I am running and who is cheering me on from the sidelines.

This isn’t an easy race to run. I’m not biomechanically built to be a fast runner. My flesh isn’t designed to fall immediately or easily in line with God’s commands. As some coaches would say, ‘mind over matter.’ I would say trust in the Lord. Be still, but keep running. Don’t give up running the best race of your life.

And if you see me out running...please, no more honking! Pray for my run, both physical and spiritual, that I might not fall down, instead. :)