Let’s get one thing straight: I HATE RUNNING! Emphatically, dogmatically, without resolve or apology, I despise it. Unless the particular sport I am playing requires the act or I am being chased, I really fail to see the point. Or at least, I used to. Now, I suppose, with a goal or destination in mind, I consider running a valid pastime. My goal/destination over the past few months has been to arrive at a healthier, more fit version of myself. I know myself well enough to know that running is my most effective means of accomplishing said goal. Although I successfully have several miles (and pounds!) behind me, I am reminded nearly every time I set out to run that as runners go, I am very much… a quarter horse.
If you know much about horses or horse racing, you know that Thoroughbreds are bred for stamina; they cover a lengthy amount of distance (a mile or so) at a very respectable rate of speed. Quarter Horses are “creatively” named for their impressive ability to top the speed of a Thoroughbred, but only over the distance of a quarter mile. In case you’re not following my inference, what I’m saying is, I’ve got very little stamina!
I can go along great for a little while, generally rocking out on the iPod and enjoying a beautiful day or watching a movie while I wear out the treadmill, but all-too-soon my legs start to burn, my mouth goes dry, my lungs feel like they could collapse, snot starts flying (trust me, I’m not an attractive runner) and before my mind/heart want to, my body tires and I have to walk. Talk about frustration!
Sometimes, I feel like my style of running matches my style of Christianity. A great sermon or a song or maybe a testimony gets me fired up, and I consent that I’m going to commit to my Christian walk with renewed fervor. I read my Bible routinely and I remember to pray more; I’m more inclined to sing a special or lead devotion. But before I know it, obstacles crop up in my running path. A deadline for an article takes priority in my routine. The night out with friends keeps me from praying before a meal. I get angry with God when I don’t understand His plan for my life. I simply… get tired.
Lately, I’ve found myself adopting songs as my personal anthems. Granted, I’ve gone through a fair few over the past few weeks, from “Washed By the Water” (The Mick Lloyd Collection) to “The Brightness of Jesus” (Dave’s Highway) to numerous others. Alas, yesterday introduced me to my current anthem, “Where I Belong” (Building 429 – and a big shout-out to iTunes for the free video download!) To quote the song:
“All I know is I’m not Home yet;
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus;
This is not where I belong…”
Clearly, there is a race set before each of us who has accepted Salvation through Jesus Christ. Though we are in no competition, we are ultimately running toward Heaven, and hopefully we are inviting everyone we meet along the way. Furthermore, we are called to “run with endurance the race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1.) God isn’t satisfied when we sit the sidelines or don’t give our all.
Just as I am working to increase my running endurance, I believe God is using my World Race experience to strengthen my endurance as a Christian. My “destinations” may soon be all across the world, but even now my goal is to make a difference here at home. Sometimes I think running with complete strangers might be easier than running with family and friends. Either way, God is certainly at work and I am trying hard to continually trust and obey. I certainly covet the prayers of those who read this; first, that I would continually grow as a Christian – gaining confidence in witnessing to those I care about most, and demonstrating greater dedication to my Bible studies and prayer time – and second, that my eyes would be opened to how God wants to use me and this World Race experience to extend the blessings into my hometown.
I know His plan is divine and I know that if I adhere to His call on my life, I too will someday say, “I’ve fought the good fight, I finished the race.” And soon thereafter, I’ll hear, “Welcome HOME.”
Be Blessed!
-Ashlee
