I’m not a natural runner, and it’s been a tough ten months getting to the point of comfortably1 managing an 8-10 mile run. The ‘Couch to 5K‘ app was instrumental in the first few months to get a foundation level of running, although at times it was tempting to give up and go back to the couch! Now, my (ridiculously expensive) pair of Asics are well-worn and caked in mud from over 170 miles of diligent training in all terrains and conditions, and I happily get out of a warm bed every Saturday morning to run a 5k (at 9am) with 200+ equally-muddy-shoe-clad people.
The main thing that keeps my feet moving (and stops me sinking into the sofa) is the goal that I’m running towards. This Saturday morning will see me and five friends conquer 13 miles and 150 obstacles at Rat Race Dirty Weekend. Our team of ‘Carey Allstars‘ signed up for this huge challenge last summer and, ever since, our sights have been set on being physically and mentally prepared for it. Being part of this fantastic team2, and the community and camaraderie we’ve shared along the way, has kept me going from one very slow run to the next. Muscles have been built, friendships have been deepened, laughs have been had, and the finish line has been steadily getting closer.
Looking straight ahead to that goal, and not letting myself be sidetracked by comfort or fast-food, has focused all my energy …
Rat Race has seemed more of a reality, and the training more urgent, with each passing week. Over the past couple of months, all of my spare time has been spent at the gym, on a run, in the pool, at Fit Club, working out at home, getting the appropriate gear, and worrying about putting the right fuel in my body. Looking straight ahead to that goal, and not letting myself be sidetracked by comfort or fast-food, has focused all my energy on getting ready for it.
All this has really made me question my Christian life. Do I put that same energy and devotion into strengthening my spiritual life through Bible study and prayer? Do I weight-lift with the works of theologians, and sacrifice precious time to run with a team of believers the ‘race marked out for us’3 to build up the body of Christ?
In all honesty, I don’t.
Like training for Rat Race, living with that much determination as a Christian is all about what your eyes are fixed on. Focusing on Jesus, and looking forward to the day he comes back, should be giving me that same level of excitement, endurance and urgency. I’ll get to be with my Saviour, King and Brother… forever, and he could come at any moment! I should be wanting to ‘get ready’ for the beginning of eternity.
Peter says it all:
“So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.”4
I’m a runner because I run, but I’m a Christian because of Christ!
Self-control is needed to live in obedience to Jesus, but thankfully that isn’t what makes me a Christian.
I’m a runner because I run, but I’m a Christian because of Christ! Through blood, sweat and tears, he thought of me while he was dying on the cross, and he promised me new life when he rose from the dead. Jesus has done all the hard work to give me that ‘gracious salvation’ – and it is finished5!
I am saved, but I’m still being sanctified. This race I’m running will take me to glory, because Jesus has marked it out for me, but the road is long and rocky, and there are comforts and fast-life distractions along the way. I want to be focused on where I’m going, so that I don’t lose sight of what life is all about. I’m praying that God would give me the same desire and determination for him as I’ve had for getting ready for Rat Race. With his help and encouragement – and cheered on by a community of believers in the same race – I want to give him everything I’ve got.
We sing a children’s song at church which simply sums it up:
“Have you seen those fit and healthy guys,
Always doing their exercise?
Well it’s better to work for a heavenly prize,
So practice being godly”6
1Running is never ‘comfortable’, but I don’t die, and can even do it all again the next week!
2Shout out to Caz, Rachel, Sarah, Andrew & Julia! Woop woop!
3Hebrews 12:1
41 Peter 1:13-15
5John 19:30
6Listen to the whole song here:
1 Comment
David Donnelly · May 2, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Excellent points very well made, Sarah. Too often we forget that our lives are not to be lived for ourselves, but for our God and Saviour.