Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...(ESV)
Hebrews 12:1
These days when I run, I carry only two things;
1) my iPod
2) my spare set of keys because it's just two keys not a whole whack load of jangling keychains.
I use to carry my water bottle with me as well, but even my 500ml was too much of a weight. Sometimes even carrying the iPod is irksome as I jog. I've stripped myself down to the bare minimum; laying aside every weight that hinders... because it just made sense.
Which made me wonder during the Toronto Zoo run if I've done that spiritually.
Someone once wrote that not everything that hinders is a sin.
What in my life is an unnecessary weight that is hindering me?
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The PDF of Running
Running was never on any of my to do lists, and it was never going to be on any lists because running was painful, (it still is!), and it required; Perseverance, Discipline, and Focus. I would've never believed you in a million years if you had told me a month ago that I would be going out of my way to work running into my busy schedule so that I could run on average 15km+ a week. I never thought that I would be even able to run 5k much less do it on a regular basis. This again just goes to prove the point "never say never."
Yet now I enjoy running for the exact same reasons that I detested it in the first place, Perseverance, Discipline, and Focus. It requires these three qualities, and at the same time it hones them. Running teaches me to mentally persevere when the going gets tough and when every step of the way I want to quit and walk. It makes me get up early in the morning so I can actually get a run in, and that forces me to be disciplined with the rest of my schedule. But best of all it makes me focus on the Lord.
For some reason when I run, it puts my life into perspective in the big scheme of things. Christ becomes first, and all the little idols of my life melt away. At the same time I can't run long unless I am focused on either breathing properly or on God. It's fascinating. I can't daze off. Can't daydream. I have to focus.
It still baffles me. I'm still trying to figure out what flipped the switch, but I'm loving it.
The Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about when he used running analogies in the New Testament.
Hebrews 12:1 kept me going at the tail end of my first race yesterday.
Yet now I enjoy running for the exact same reasons that I detested it in the first place, Perseverance, Discipline, and Focus. It requires these three qualities, and at the same time it hones them. Running teaches me to mentally persevere when the going gets tough and when every step of the way I want to quit and walk. It makes me get up early in the morning so I can actually get a run in, and that forces me to be disciplined with the rest of my schedule. But best of all it makes me focus on the Lord.
For some reason when I run, it puts my life into perspective in the big scheme of things. Christ becomes first, and all the little idols of my life melt away. At the same time I can't run long unless I am focused on either breathing properly or on God. It's fascinating. I can't daze off. Can't daydream. I have to focus.
It still baffles me. I'm still trying to figure out what flipped the switch, but I'm loving it.
The Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about when he used running analogies in the New Testament.
Hebrews 12:1 kept me going at the tail end of my first race yesterday.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
So It Starts
This morning I "started" my "training" for the Toronto Zoo run, and by training I mean, actually starting to run for the first time in goodness knows how long. And by started I mean, my body woke me up and wouldn't go back to bed so I had nothing else to do.
Other than that, it was great. The chilly air, the silence of the morning as everything's slowly rousing from slumber, the cramps that started kicking my sides after five minutes.
Ok, maybe not the cramps.
It was freeing though to bolt down the streets. It felt like flying.
This could be the start of a new romance.
...
Ok, that would be pushing it. The start of a symbiotic relationship then.
Other than that, it was great. The chilly air, the silence of the morning as everything's slowly rousing from slumber, the cramps that started kicking my sides after five minutes.
Ok, maybe not the cramps.
It was freeing though to bolt down the streets. It felt like flying.
This could be the start of a new romance.
...
Ok, that would be pushing it. The start of a symbiotic relationship then.
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