I can't run slow.
I just can't do it.
I am compelled to run fast. It's in my nature.
I know, I know- its a problem- especially when attempting to cover a long distance, but I just can't help myself. I constantly have to remind myself to slow down. I have paid the price of a hasty 6 miler all to often. The debt collector always comes the next day to collect the charges accrued. He makes me much slower than I normally am. My legs pay his taxes in the form of stiff quads and slowly bending knees; my hamstrings tighten and complain when I attempt to stretch them. My knees creak and holler while going up and down the stairs.
Yes, I've paid that price too many times. Still, I keep charging. Why? Because I have something to prove, and I can't help it.
A familiar mantra to avoid running in the red has become, "Run today, so you can run tomorrow." It reminds me that there is a bigger goal- my workout is not just about today. It's about tomorrow, and if I beat my body to a pulp today, I'll be no good tomorrow.
However, there is a time and place for everything.
Remember when you were too immature to think about tomorrow? You stayed up late, ate what you wanted, spent what you wanted, and never gave it a second thought.
I think we need to run like that sometimes- just throw caution to the wind, and go for it. No calculating, no counting laps, no holding back- just RUN! Who cares if you have to stop. Who cares if you can't walk tomorrow! Go all out today! Just be who you were made to be on the inside- it's in your nature!
If you're not sure, let me show you:
In 2nd Corinthians 5:13-15 the Apostle Paul says,
"For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
Did you catch that? Paul knew when to get immature and to be- throw caution to the wind-crazy. When it came to the things of God- he went all out. Why? Because he had something to prove- the love of Christ. He wanted to prove to everyone that Christ's love was enough. It was worth getting crazy about. It was worth it because Christ died for all. (Ah-hem. That means YOU.) I think that needs to be repeated.
Christ died for all!
That means we all have something to get crazy about.
So next time you're on a run, or at the grocery store, or carting your kids around, or vacuuming the living room, or picking pancakes out of the high chair, or chasing the dog across the neighbor's lawn, just get a little crazy with it, because Christ died for you, and that is worth getting crazy about.
I just can't do it.
I am compelled to run fast. It's in my nature.
I know, I know- its a problem- especially when attempting to cover a long distance, but I just can't help myself. I constantly have to remind myself to slow down. I have paid the price of a hasty 6 miler all to often. The debt collector always comes the next day to collect the charges accrued. He makes me much slower than I normally am. My legs pay his taxes in the form of stiff quads and slowly bending knees; my hamstrings tighten and complain when I attempt to stretch them. My knees creak and holler while going up and down the stairs.
Yes, I've paid that price too many times. Still, I keep charging. Why? Because I have something to prove, and I can't help it.
A familiar mantra to avoid running in the red has become, "Run today, so you can run tomorrow." It reminds me that there is a bigger goal- my workout is not just about today. It's about tomorrow, and if I beat my body to a pulp today, I'll be no good tomorrow.
However, there is a time and place for everything.
Remember when you were too immature to think about tomorrow? You stayed up late, ate what you wanted, spent what you wanted, and never gave it a second thought.
I think we need to run like that sometimes- just throw caution to the wind, and go for it. No calculating, no counting laps, no holding back- just RUN! Who cares if you have to stop. Who cares if you can't walk tomorrow! Go all out today! Just be who you were made to be on the inside- it's in your nature!
If you're not sure, let me show you:
In 2nd Corinthians 5:13-15 the Apostle Paul says,
"For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
Did you catch that? Paul knew when to get immature and to be- throw caution to the wind-crazy. When it came to the things of God- he went all out. Why? Because he had something to prove- the love of Christ. He wanted to prove to everyone that Christ's love was enough. It was worth getting crazy about. It was worth it because Christ died for all. (Ah-hem. That means YOU.) I think that needs to be repeated.
Christ died for all!
That means we all have something to get crazy about.
So next time you're on a run, or at the grocery store, or carting your kids around, or vacuuming the living room, or picking pancakes out of the high chair, or chasing the dog across the neighbor's lawn, just get a little crazy with it, because Christ died for you, and that is worth getting crazy about.