What does a runner do before a big race ? Well, first and foremost, they run. Wow-imagine that ? They get up every day and they run. They lace up their shoes, they stretch, and they start putting one foot in front of the other. Every year in our town, the first weekend in May brings what is known as the “River Bank Run”- it is a marathon of such caliber that it draws runners from all over the world. However, the majority of runners that compete that day are not world class athletes, but they are the “regular people” the ones who beat the street in an effort to improve their physical condition or to accomplish a goal of running a road race . Now, let it be said, I am not a runner…I have tried to be- I have even ran on occasion…I love to walk- I even have begun to enjoy my daily circuit training at one of our local ladies only workout clubs…but I have yet to run the River Bank run. My daughter Amanda loves to run,and my son Griffin also runs cross country and distance run for our local high school. Amanda competed in high school and well…let’s just say she did not race at the top of her field. However, she ran for the personal challenge, the friendships she developed and the physical and mental strength it developed in her. Now, as a young mom of the two most incredible little boy in the world (yes- I admit it I am biased) she still runs. She runs for many of the same reasons she did before. She amazes me. She runs when she feels like it, she runs when she does not, she runs in good weather, and in the rain. She chooses to put on her shoes because she has a goal. She desires to remain fit and strong, she receives a sense of accomplishment when she finishes her run for the day. She runs alone- no one sees her finish. There is no one cheering her on at the end of the race- only herself- reaching for the goal that only she can see. But, it starts first by putting on her shoes. She kneels down- and laces them up- stretches out muscles that are tight and begins to run…slowly…with endurance and with steadiness….the goal is not to beat another…but to race for the sheer joy of the moment. To press thru to the other side and accomplish the task before her. But it starts with the shoes.
Where are your shoes? Have you kicked them under your bed or are they lost in the back of your closet…are there other things piled on top of them? What do you need to do to find them?? There are times in our life when we must set aside time to dig- to search for that which is lost and what we need to find. Maybe you did not lose your shoes, perhaps someone else hid them, or piled their baggage on top of them. Whatever the reason, today is the day to begin to dig them out- to search high and low for your shoes! You need them- you can not run without them. Your journey will be hindered and you will limit yourself if you are not properly equipped with all that you need. And, the first thing you need are your shoes!!
There are many different types of shoes in my closet. I have sandals, clogs, slippers and dress shoes. I have casual shoes and special occasion shoes. These are all great shoes- and all are useful and valuable to me at certain times. If I choose to go on a long walk (or run ) I need my athletic shoes- the ones with the flexible sole and the supportive cushioning. This past weekend my husband and I went to hear a speaker at one of our local colleges. We were unsure exactly which building it was being held in so we choose the first parking lot we saw, and began to walk in the general direction we thought we should go. We found a friendly college student to show us the way. Now SHE had running shoes on, my husband his comfy walking shoes…and me open toed- platform type (very cute mind you) sandals. Needless to say- they could both walk much faster than I, who kept falling further and further behind !! Finally hubby noticed I was no longer next to him- actually unbeknownst to him, I had been behind almost from the start!! I could not keep up because even though my shoes were very cute, they were not meant for the type of travel we were embarking on at that moment. I wished I had chosen to wear a different pair that night. By the time we reached our destination my toes were crying for mercy!
The gospel writer Paul, uses the analogy of running a race several times throughout the New Testament. He encourages us to run in such a way that we are not disqualified- so that we finish our race. So that we do not miss out on the reward that is set out for us who run the race and finish well. There are several different types of races that a runner may run. There is the sprint that a runner runs where it is hard, fast and focused. The runner does not have time to make up for a slow start or to win if he falls. There is the relay- where the runner and his team mates must work together in incredible rhythm to accomplish the goal of a smooth hand off of the baton. If the baton is dropped, the runner is disqualified. Their race is over until the next time. Then there is the distance run. The runners start out strong, but not always fast- they run steady- keeping their eyes on the runner in front of them- working to pass them, one by one. Not looking at the whole field, not seeing those coming behind- being aware of the other runners- but right now, it is about them- their goal…one by one..the focus- the race.
Many of us fail to run our race because we loose our focus, we look behind at our past and become paralyzed to move forward or perhaps we never leave the safety of the starting blocks. After all, if we don't start- we won't fail.
Today, I am making the choice to put on my shoes, and run my race. I would love a partner or two to run with me. How about it friend? I'll wait while you find your shoes!
It is hot, really hot today! It seems like it has been hot forever. Of course, it has not been, but today, it seems like it has been! The weather man tells me next week it will be better- that the forecast is changing in the next few days. Sometimes, I don't believe the weatherman- I joke with my husband (who happens to love weather) that it is not a forecast- but an educated guess at best. They have a great deal of fancy equipment and maps... But I am not sure if they are any more accurate now, than when in years past, the farmer would watch the sky- and predict "Yup sweetheart, I do believe there is a storm comin' in!! "Today, with all of our technology and advanced education, many people do not see a real need for understanding about "just knowing". Knowing is what is inside of a person...the part of you that just "knows" when something is not right, when you sense that someone is hurting and needs a friend, when there is a "feeling" deep within your heart that senses and understands at a different level than what is seen with our natural eye.The knowing that is within each of us has been called many things.....a conscience, a feeling, an inner voice to name a few. God calls it "Himself"- his Holy Spirit- the very essence of God! How can that be? His word tells us that we were created in his own image- man and woman he created us- in his own likeness we were created! Amazing that something so complex and beautiful as the Spirit of God could be within you and I!! His spirit will cause your "knowing" to become sensitive to his leading and the direction he has for your life. His spirit will increase your understanding of his word and of his ways. His spirit will bring meaning and value to who you are- and the call that he has upon your life!
He has given to each one of us a measure of grace, exactly what we need- exactly what He needs. He has created you with a plan and a purpose- and seed and a a vision. Take some time today, to listen...to wait- to hear.
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