If you know me then you know I love to be active. To go hiking, swimming, play volleyball, basketball, or run. Today while I was running through the streets of Albania with a few of my teammates I was struck by a few things…three to be exact…
First, is that I am not in running shape anymore…
Yep I said it I’ve lost my stamina for running. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I’m so out of running shape that as soon as I start I want to stop, don’t worry I do still have some stamina just not as much as I had when I was living in Colorado.
When I don’t go running every day like I did obviously I won’t be as in shape; I will start to loose my stamina. This is what it’s like for us when we don’t seek God daily and get filled with him, we lose our “stamina”, more so we lose getting replenished and the ability to fight the battles for the day. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that we need to “Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training…” So just like running or getting in shape for anything we need to do the same spiritually; we need to go into strict training, so that we don’t lose stamina.
Second, as I run I usually am one who focus’ in and zones things out so its just me, my body, and the ground beneath my feet. Here in Albania though I noticed that I wasn’t doing that, namely because I didn’t want to run into anyone, hit something, or not remember where I came from. I was actually taking things in; the sights, the smells, and the people that were around me. It was revealed to me that there are times when God says to us “hey just focus in on me” and then there are other times when he says “hey see what is around you and see me through what you are seeing…” God wants us to make sure that he is our primary focus in our lives, as well he wants us to find him too. He wants us to stop and take him all in through people, places, and experiences.
Lastly, when I was running back home I noticed a little boy, who was one of the cutest little man’s I’ve seen since being in Europe. He was walking and for some reason he started running along with me. He and I started racing together. And I was blessed with the biggest smile and a laugh full of joy coming from his lips, along with an occasional toot from his toy trumpet. As we were running I looked at him and saw that his face was dirty, his clothes weren’t washed, and his shoes were too big for his feet. But, that didn’t bother him he was just having fun and enjoying this moment together. Through this God was showing me that we need to find joy in the big and small moments. It doesn’t matter what we may be going through, the hardships, the circumstances, or the joys of life. We need to enjoy it ALL! Often times we don’t because its easier not to especially when its hard. Each of us needs to find joy like a child because I think they see the world most beautifully; with clear eyes, and full hearts!
The next time you are feeling weak refill yourself with God and he will replenish you and give you more stamina throughout your day. Remember though to focus on him first and foremost and then to see him throughout the day in the conversations you have, the people you may encounter, or even the traffic you might get stuck in. Most importantly find joy through it all. Find joy like a child would in the biggest things or the tiniest ones and see the beauty around you. For when you see like a child sees with clear eyes and full hearts you can never lose.
I think we all really should make a radical change in our lifestyles and begin to boldly do things which we may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change our situation because we are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within us than a secure future. At the very basic core of our living spirit is our passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.
So lets run this race set before us with joy as if we have too big of shoes on that are about to fall off but we don’t have a care in the world, just a big smile on our faces with laughter coming from our lips, tooting on our toy trumpet as we run…
