running with a goal
I love running. A lot of people don't, and I get that. But I love running.
Running is comfortable for me. Running is a challenge for me. Running is a release of energy and stress-- an outlet like nothing else.
This morning, I ran with my friend. We meet three mornings a week for our usual 5am run. I am so grateful for this time and it has truly helped me in so many ways-- as a mom, as a person. We decided to step things up this morning, as we just recently realized that our usual route is a bit shorter than we thought. I also needed to get back home a little earlier so my husband could make it to work for an early meeting. So, we ran hard and fast. The last 1/2 mile was a full-on sprint, as I looked at my clock and saw that I needed to be home in like 3 minutes! We pushed it. We ran harder and farther than we have the last several weeks. Every time I was tempted to slow down or walk, I remembered that my husband was counting on me. I had no choice. Just keep running, just keep running. And it felt so good. Nothing beats the feeling of the end of a good workout, especially when you have given it your all.
Two things make running even better: accountability and a goal.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2
Hebrews 11 is the classic "Hall of Faith". The brief stories of these heroes who lived lives of faith and pointed to Christ's coming. These are the cloud of witnesses that surround us. And with them are the heroes of the faith that have gone before us-- the Jonathan Edwards, John Owens, John Calvin, Martin Luther, C.S. Lewis, etc. And, along with them, our own family and friends who have left a legacy of faith. Men and women who have followed Christ and personally impacted our relationship with the Lord. None of these heroes are perfect. but they finished their race. And they are now cheering for us!
Run the race set before YOU. I could go on and on about this. So much time is wasted trying to run someone else's race. Comparison with others and judgment of others robs us of making progress in our own race. While the end goal is the same, no two people have the same scenario, circumstances, personality, gifts. We must run the race set before us. With others.
Our goal is Jesus Christ! What does this mean? He is our treasure, He is the prize. The joy of living a life in Christ, on this earth and then eternally in the home we were made for. Our goal isn't what this world can offer us. Because, even at its best, every single thing this world has to offer only pales in comparison to the glory that awaits. The heroes of the faith knew that.
"And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Hebrews 11:39-40
Running is comfortable for me. Running is a challenge for me. Running is a release of energy and stress-- an outlet like nothing else.
This morning, I ran with my friend. We meet three mornings a week for our usual 5am run. I am so grateful for this time and it has truly helped me in so many ways-- as a mom, as a person. We decided to step things up this morning, as we just recently realized that our usual route is a bit shorter than we thought. I also needed to get back home a little earlier so my husband could make it to work for an early meeting. So, we ran hard and fast. The last 1/2 mile was a full-on sprint, as I looked at my clock and saw that I needed to be home in like 3 minutes! We pushed it. We ran harder and farther than we have the last several weeks. Every time I was tempted to slow down or walk, I remembered that my husband was counting on me. I had no choice. Just keep running, just keep running. And it felt so good. Nothing beats the feeling of the end of a good workout, especially when you have given it your all.
Two things make running even better: accountability and a goal.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2
Hebrews 11 is the classic "Hall of Faith". The brief stories of these heroes who lived lives of faith and pointed to Christ's coming. These are the cloud of witnesses that surround us. And with them are the heroes of the faith that have gone before us-- the Jonathan Edwards, John Owens, John Calvin, Martin Luther, C.S. Lewis, etc. And, along with them, our own family and friends who have left a legacy of faith. Men and women who have followed Christ and personally impacted our relationship with the Lord. None of these heroes are perfect. but they finished their race. And they are now cheering for us!
Run the race set before YOU. I could go on and on about this. So much time is wasted trying to run someone else's race. Comparison with others and judgment of others robs us of making progress in our own race. While the end goal is the same, no two people have the same scenario, circumstances, personality, gifts. We must run the race set before us. With others.
Our goal is Jesus Christ! What does this mean? He is our treasure, He is the prize. The joy of living a life in Christ, on this earth and then eternally in the home we were made for. Our goal isn't what this world can offer us. Because, even at its best, every single thing this world has to offer only pales in comparison to the glory that awaits. The heroes of the faith knew that.
"And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Hebrews 11:39-40
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