Recently, I read an article in the October edition of Runner's World magazine that told the harrowing story of two brothers attacked by a pack of feral pit bulls. The brothers, Richard and John Garritson, had been raised in a running family, and had been on a run with other family members when the attack occurred. After chronicling the brothers' experience, the article ultimately pointed out that the reason the boys survived was because they were runners- because they had a toughness about them that had been forged in the fires of running.
The article was so powerful, even the editors note at the beginning of the magazine echoed the sentiment that people who were runners were made of a tougher, more perseverant fiber than others who did not enjoy the sport of running.
This got me thinking...was there more to running than meets the eye?
Last week, while on a run with friends, (A very LONG run might I add!) my suspicions were confirmed! We were discussing this topic when another runner in the group exclaimed,
"It's true! Running is spiritual! It builds discipline."
I knew she was right.
I thought back to when my son was born. In the months leading up to his birth, I maintained my exercise routine. In my head, I was training for that moment. I was training for the most difficult task of my life up to that point. Someone had compared labor and childbirth to running a marathon, and by George- I was gonna be ready! And I was! Running prepared me.
The first two phrases out of my mouth after he was born were:
1.) "Thank you Jesus!"
And
2.) "I could totally run a marathon!"
I think it's true: running builds something deep inside that no other sport does.
It builds physical and mental toughness.
It breeds a tenacity for finishing that can only be appreciated by those who have logged countless miles, and sore muscles.
If you have ever convinced yourself, "Just one more step, just one more lap, just one more mile..." You know what I mean.
It transforms you from a maybe-finisher to a never-quitter.
Running changes you.
The Bible puts it this way:
" Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2nd Corinthians 4:16-18)
As Christians, and as runners, it's tempting to lose heart sometimes. When we face those tough times, it feels as though our "outward man is perishing." And that hurts- oftentimes, in more ways than one! The end of a relationship, the loss of a job, the death of a child, the illness of a loved one or family member, and the burden that comes with that, other emotional and physical stress- all feel like "perishing." Sometimes we want to take the advice of Job's wife and just "curse God and die!" (Job 2:9)
But you can't.
Want to know why?
Because there is more going on here than meets the eye.
Don't forget the promise in that verse:
"Even though our outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day..." and "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory..."
HOLY COW!
The Message Version says it this way:
"So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever."
On the inside, God is making new life, and the things we can't see now will last forever- that life will last forever.
When we put our faith and trust in God, the Creator of the Universe, He is more than able to take care of our hearts, our hurts, and our situations. He has the amazing capability of transforming those horrible situations ("small potatoes" to Him) into something beautiful on the inside of us.
So, next time you feel like everything is falling apart, or you just can't take another step- literally or figuratively- take a moment and remember who is in control. Give it all to God, keep moving forward, and watch Him turn your "small potatoes" into something beautiful that you never could have imagined-
into something that is more than meets the eye.
The article was so powerful, even the editors note at the beginning of the magazine echoed the sentiment that people who were runners were made of a tougher, more perseverant fiber than others who did not enjoy the sport of running.
This got me thinking...was there more to running than meets the eye?
Last week, while on a run with friends, (A very LONG run might I add!) my suspicions were confirmed! We were discussing this topic when another runner in the group exclaimed,
"It's true! Running is spiritual! It builds discipline."
I knew she was right.
I thought back to when my son was born. In the months leading up to his birth, I maintained my exercise routine. In my head, I was training for that moment. I was training for the most difficult task of my life up to that point. Someone had compared labor and childbirth to running a marathon, and by George- I was gonna be ready! And I was! Running prepared me.
The first two phrases out of my mouth after he was born were:
1.) "Thank you Jesus!"
And
2.) "I could totally run a marathon!"
I think it's true: running builds something deep inside that no other sport does.
It builds physical and mental toughness.
It breeds a tenacity for finishing that can only be appreciated by those who have logged countless miles, and sore muscles.
If you have ever convinced yourself, "Just one more step, just one more lap, just one more mile..." You know what I mean.
It transforms you from a maybe-finisher to a never-quitter.
Running changes you.
The Bible puts it this way:
" Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2nd Corinthians 4:16-18)
As Christians, and as runners, it's tempting to lose heart sometimes. When we face those tough times, it feels as though our "outward man is perishing." And that hurts- oftentimes, in more ways than one! The end of a relationship, the loss of a job, the death of a child, the illness of a loved one or family member, and the burden that comes with that, other emotional and physical stress- all feel like "perishing." Sometimes we want to take the advice of Job's wife and just "curse God and die!" (Job 2:9)
But you can't.
Want to know why?
Because there is more going on here than meets the eye.
Don't forget the promise in that verse:
"Even though our outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day..." and "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory..."
HOLY COW!
The Message Version says it this way:
"So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever."
On the inside, God is making new life, and the things we can't see now will last forever- that life will last forever.
When we put our faith and trust in God, the Creator of the Universe, He is more than able to take care of our hearts, our hurts, and our situations. He has the amazing capability of transforming those horrible situations ("small potatoes" to Him) into something beautiful on the inside of us.
So, next time you feel like everything is falling apart, or you just can't take another step- literally or figuratively- take a moment and remember who is in control. Give it all to God, keep moving forward, and watch Him turn your "small potatoes" into something beautiful that you never could have imagined-
into something that is more than meets the eye.