Musings from a Recovering Evangelical: Put On Your Running Shoes

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ESV

marathon      I was forced to run track in high school. I was not a fan. If you were going to play football the following year, you had to run track. So there I was standing out on a track waiting for the gun to go off. It was an intimidating moment for me. I looked around and every other guy had the look and attitude that they were there by choice. Me? I couldn't wait to get it over with so I could back on the bus. It was a sad and humiliating situation.

     The gun went off and a shot of adrenaline ran through my body in that fateful moment! I took off like a gazelle! I was in over drive and shortly found myself at the front of the pack! I was winning the race! The crowd was cheering! My coach was yelling! My friends were shocked! It was a glorious few seconds... IF... I was running the 60 yard dash! The problem was soon apparent because after the first lap I was history! The race was called "The Mile" because it's actually a mile in length! Ugh. You know the rest of the story... dead last. I wasn't prepared for the long haul.

     I have met a lot of Christians who have mistakenly thought that running the race of faith was a sprint instead of a marathon. They were strong out of the gate only to find themselves struggling with disappointment, disillusionment and discouragement in a few weeks. Which spiritual shoes did you put on this morning? Sprinter's cleats or distance running shoes? Are you worn out and struggling to get your spiritual breath? You might want to look down and see which shoes you put on. Pace yourself today. Catch your breath and enjoy the race. Slow down and savor every moment of this day... after all, you will be running tomorrow too... and the next day... and the next...

Grace and Peace,
Pastor J