Running the Race

Running a race? No way, not me! In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would ever even consider running for exercise, a hobby, sport, or anything else, but especially not in a real race. Well, my dear hubby has done this in the past, and has a new found desire to get back into running....and take me along with him! I have been doing interval training for about 8 months, now, which includes a good bit of running and speed walking, but the thought of running in a 5K race is a bit intimidating to me. Not only that, but your name and time is recorded for all to see!

So, as he has begun training for a race coming up mid-September, I thought I would try it one time. I decided to run a 5K and time myself. If it took an hour, at least I'd know my limited ability, and he'd stop pestering me about running with him in this race. It was a night this week when there were thunderstorms all around our area, and although I could see the lightning far away lighting up the sky, there was no thunder or rain....only the pleasant winds to cool everything down (including me!). It really was a beautiful night to run, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. As for my time, I beat Richard's by about 1 min. 20 sec., which isn't really fair b/c it was the first time he had run and timed himself, and he was just getting a baseline. He does strength training all the time, and usually runs once a week, so he is just now starting to add more jogging into his exercise routine. (I had to say all of that so he could "save face!") I still need to get my time down by about 4 minutes, but it was a good "beginning runner" time, I'm told!

So.....the real point of this is that as I was running, the Lord was bringing all sorts of biblical parallels to mind. The scripture often references those who are saved as being in a race:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." I Cor. 9:24-27

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3: 12-14

"Therefore, since we are surrouned 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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12: 1-2

We are to run the race with perseverance, endurance, with our eyes on the prize at all times....Jesus Christ! We so often get sidetracked, and Satan throws so many obstacles in our way. Sin easily creeps into our lives and we slow down our pace, look side to side at things that distract us, whether that be materialistic ideas, selfishness, greediness, frustrations, difficult relationships, problems with work, or whatever our "stumbling block" tends to be- Satan is well aware and ready to throw it in our path! As runners in this race toward heaven, we are to be disciplined, focused, and put our fleshly desires behind us, as well as our past sins, and strain toward God's calling for our lives. In doing so, others will see Jesus in us, and we may encourage them to join the race with us.

As for the Roman Rumble coming up in September......who knows? I haven't committed to it, but I'm sure I'll be persuaded to run with my husband. If you're interested in running, you can see the information at http://www.romerunnersclub.org/races.php