In the last few years I have attempted to rejuvenate my desire to run. Back when I was in high school, I was an avid runner, competing in both indoor and outdoor track up until my senior year. As I have aged, I have realized it isn't as easy to stay in shape (I can no longer eat just anything and expect the scale to not respond) so I thought running would be a perfect answer to my attempt at being a more healthy individual.
I jumped in headfirst and entered a few races (and dropped out of a few races) and thought this was the answer to my woes. Although I have taken breaks here and there (laziness and pregnancy) I have continued to plod on and this year reach my ultimate goal of 300+ miles in a year (which is a stretch for me seeing the most I have ran in a year since high school is around 70 miles).
As I worked on that goal this evening at the Y, I started thinking how although many of us may not be good "physical" runners, we are often good at "running" from things. We strive so hard to control our lives that whenever trials come, we turn and run. What are we running from... where are we running to? We run as if to forget but yet can we ever truly outrun our problems or our past? The bad thing about running is that we will all run out of steam. Unfortunately it seems that just when we are at our most worn down, the competitor gets their second wind and takes over us with nary a passing thought. It is then we need someone to pick us up, turn us around and help lead us to the finish line that we blindly passed by as we sprinted around the track another unnecessary time.
Who are you allowing to lead your run? One walks with us and is there to catch us when we stumble, the other waits until we stumble and then tramples us in the dust. One gives us strength and the other takes it away. Which one would you rather have as your coach?
There is a great song by a band called, "Forty Days" called, "I Run" I love the lyrics "But when my faith begins to fail me, and I can't find my way I run, I fall into the arms of my Father, into a Love like no other I walk, I crawl; it doesn't matter how I get here only that I can be here at all" We don't have to have designer shoes, be the pace setter, perfect form, or even a steady gait. He guides us when we can't see and allows us to curl up in his arms just as we are. Run to Him tonite instead of searching for the non-existent finish line. Allow him to take your weariness away and just take time to rest in His arms again.
"I Run 40 Days"
I've never had a day like this,
when things become so clear & I can feel you here
I've never had to pray like this;
it's all that I can do to see me through the fear
But when my faith begins to fail me,
and I can't find my way
I run, I fall into the arms of my Father,
into a Love like no other
I walk, I crawl; it doesn't matter how I get here only that I can be here at all
All that seems to cloud my mind,
is how can be I strong, and how do I move on
But I know You will never fail me,
You will be my way
I jumped in headfirst and entered a few races (and dropped out of a few races) and thought this was the answer to my woes. Although I have taken breaks here and there (laziness and pregnancy) I have continued to plod on and this year reach my ultimate goal of 300+ miles in a year (which is a stretch for me seeing the most I have ran in a year since high school is around 70 miles).
As I worked on that goal this evening at the Y, I started thinking how although many of us may not be good "physical" runners, we are often good at "running" from things. We strive so hard to control our lives that whenever trials come, we turn and run. What are we running from... where are we running to? We run as if to forget but yet can we ever truly outrun our problems or our past? The bad thing about running is that we will all run out of steam. Unfortunately it seems that just when we are at our most worn down, the competitor gets their second wind and takes over us with nary a passing thought. It is then we need someone to pick us up, turn us around and help lead us to the finish line that we blindly passed by as we sprinted around the track another unnecessary time.
Who are you allowing to lead your run? One walks with us and is there to catch us when we stumble, the other waits until we stumble and then tramples us in the dust. One gives us strength and the other takes it away. Which one would you rather have as your coach?
There is a great song by a band called, "Forty Days" called, "I Run" I love the lyrics "But when my faith begins to fail me, and I can't find my way I run, I fall into the arms of my Father, into a Love like no other I walk, I crawl; it doesn't matter how I get here only that I can be here at all" We don't have to have designer shoes, be the pace setter, perfect form, or even a steady gait. He guides us when we can't see and allows us to curl up in his arms just as we are. Run to Him tonite instead of searching for the non-existent finish line. Allow him to take your weariness away and just take time to rest in His arms again.
"I Run 40 Days"
I've never had a day like this,
when things become so clear & I can feel you here
I've never had to pray like this;
it's all that I can do to see me through the fear
But when my faith begins to fail me,
and I can't find my way
I run, I fall into the arms of my Father,
into a Love like no other
I walk, I crawl; it doesn't matter how I get here only that I can be here at all
All that seems to cloud my mind,
is how can be I strong, and how do I move on
But I know You will never fail me,
You will be my way
