Using God's Gifts

Matthew 25:23

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

Sometimes I wish I were faster. Actually, not just “sometimes” but all the time. Ever since I competed in my first race, my goal has been to run faster. God has blessed me, and my pace has improved over the years. But often I find that I’m not appreciative of what I have and focus instead on what I do not have. By conventional standards, I am not a super talented runner, and I often selfishly wish God would give me more.

Jesus told a parable about some people who received varying amounts of blessing. A man who owned a great deal asked three of his servants to manage his money while he went on a trip. Each servant received a different amount. The first two servants left at once, carefully managed the money, and quickly earned a 100% return for the master. The servant who was entrusted with the least amount buried it and earned nothing.

When the master returned, the third servant came up with an excuse for his mismanagement of the money. He accused the master of being cruel and claimed he was frightened of the master. But the master wasn’t cruel or frightening. After all, he knew enough about each servant to entrust the proper amount to each. He gave equal praise to the first two servants for the work they did, even though one was initially entrusted with a great deal more than the other. He told them both that they inspired his joy and would be now be blessed with abundantly more, all because they trusted their master.

When I reflect on this parable, I find that I am often like the third servant. I do not go “at once” and use the gifts I have been given to the glory of my Master. I often look at others who have received more and I am jealous. I take what God gives me and bury it or use it only for my good and myself. I am not honest when I mismanage my gifts; I blame others for my shortcomings.

At the end of life’s race, I want to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And indeed, He will say these words to His children, but not because we have strung together a list of accomplishments. Rather, He will invite us to share in His joy simply because we trusted in Him above all else. Whether God has given us “a lot” or “a little,” we need to delight in what we have received and put it to good use, trusting that God will multiply it for His kingdom. Let’s talk to Him about that now.

Lord God, You are abundantly faithful and trustworthy. You know us inside and out and give us great blessings. Please help us to rejoice in what You have given us. Help us to trust You to empower and strengthen us to faithfully manage what You have given us. Forgive us when we do not use our gifts to the good of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.

Praying for Others

1 Timothy 2:1

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.

Every runner has a story of the odds he or she overcame to reach the start line. Some runners faced an injury that had to heal. Others battled time management and had to balance a stressful life in order to train properly. Still other runners experienced tragic events such as the death of a loved one or a broken relationship.

Several runners who had overcome huge odds were featured on the television coverage of the White Rock Marathon recently. I listened to their stories and was inspired by them. I reflected on times when I had to overcome problems. I thought about my friends who were out on the course that day and of all the struggles they had gone through too. I thought about how many prayers had been lifted up on behalf of each other.

Throughout the Bible, God instructs us to pray for each other. He instructs us to communicate our burdens to each other and to take those burdens to Him on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ. But why does He have us do this? After all, we know He hears and answers the prayers we pray alone. Why should we ask others to pray for us?

First, when we share our problems with fellow believers, we receive their encouragement and support. God lifts us up and blesses us through them. Additionally, when problems are shared, both friends witness God’s power when He lovingly answers the prayer. God designed us to form loving relationships, to care for each other, and to share each other’s burdens.

God protects us from Satan’s schemes when we pray for each other. Satan wants to deceive us into thinking everyone else’s life is better. He wants us to feel too much pride to reach out for help. He wants us to think we are a burden to others and attempts to convince us to live in isolation and suffer in silence, to feel alone and forgotten. But when we reach out to others, his power is dispelled.

Best of all, God makes an amazing promise about our communication with other believers. He says that where two or more of His people are gathered, He is there. Because of this, we are never alone. What an amazing promise that is!

Lord God, forgive me when I begin to believe that I am the only one with problems. Help me share the problems of my life with others so that they can pray for me. Help me to seek out friends that need my help and prayers. Help all believers to trust in You to hear and answer our prayers. And thank You in advance, for we know You will graciously give us all good things. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Having Hope

1 Peter 1:3-4a

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

The finish line of a distance race is often located at the same point as the start line. The course itself, however, is miles of road that cannot be immediately seen. Do you check out a race course before you run it or do you prefer to run without seeing it first? I’ve done both, but I like not running the course ahead of time. I am actually less anxious when I do not know what lies ahead.

Our lives are like the distance race. We know where we are and we know that someday life will be over, but the miles in between are unknown. We can make plans and chart courses but we do not know what lies ahead. There are no guarantees that what we plan will work exactly as we want.

But in the Bible, God tells us there is something we can be sure of: the gift of hope. And I’m not talking about “hope” the way we casually use the word throughout the day (I hope it doesn’t rain today…I hope I make it to work on time…I hope my team wins on Sunday…) Rather, hope is defined in the Bible as a future certainty. It’s not just a wish that something will happen but a solid promise from God.

Peter tells us that the hope God gives is living. And we know that living things are complex: they grow, they respond, they thrive, and they reproduce. Isn’t that amazing to think that our hope does the same? It is not a stagnant, lifeless object. It is the very life of Christ through the Holy Spirit living in us. It guarantees us that we are the heirs to the riches of Heaven. And we can be sure that if God loves us enough to share with us the riches of Heaven, He most certainly will guard, comfort, uphold, and provide for us while we are still here on Earth. It is our true and certain hope.

The problems of this world can cloud out the joy God intends us to have. But when troubles come, we can lean on Him and receive from Him all that we need to endure. Even in times of trial we can “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” because God will never leave us or forsake us.

Let’s go to Him now and ask Him to restore the joy that a living hope brings.

Heavenly Father, You are always with us, even when we feel as though we are alone. You have given us hope that is living. You have promised to share with us every good gift that is Yours. Help us to trust and rejoice in these promises. Help us to share this good news with others and to build each other up during the race. And when we experience trials, please send us encouragement and peace through the hope only You can give. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Forgetting and Remembering

Philippians 3:13b-14

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.

What is your favorite running memory? I have so many, it is hard to choose. I have memories of running with my husband, kids, family, and friends. I remember running in Chicago, Dallas, D.C., and California. I remember running on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Fourth of July. I remember running past deer in an Illinois forest preserve and armadillos on a Texas golf course. I remember laughing until I cried, achieving difficult victories, and celebrating at post-race parties. I remember running fast, running hard, and running strong.

But I have some memories that I am not so fond of. I have suffered through difficult workouts, extreme temperatures, and swarms of mid-run mosquitoes and gnats. I have lost keys, gloves, and sunglasses while running, and I have had shin splints, side stitch, and burning lungs. I remember incurring running injuries and forfeiting race entries because of them. I remember missing my goals, wanting to quit, and being defeated. I remember running slow, running sick, and running weak.

In the Bible, the word remember means to keep in mind. Remembering is an incredible gift, for God says He will remember His covenant – His loving promise of salvation – with His people forever. And He commands us to use our memory in a positive way. He wants us to remember His goodness, love, and wondrous works. Paul, the author of Philippians, tells us that he had to make a choice regarding his memory. He said he had to forget what was behind him and instead strain forward to what was ahead, pressing on toward a goal and a prize.

When you are in a race, whether it is a two-mile race or a marathon, have you ever turned around, headed to a previous point on the course, and sat down? No! That would be unthinkable! And yet, how many times do we do that in our non-running lives? Physically, mentally, and/or emotionally, we turn around and head somewhere that is nowhere near our goal. Instead of remembering who God is and all He has done and promises to do in our lives, we focus on something that we recall: something that breeds doubt or mistrust instead of fixing our thoughts on our Lord who is forever good and trustworthy.

What keeps you from forgetting what lies behind? What stops you from reaching toward the goal and living your life with purpose and meaning, according to God’s will, trusting always in the Savior to carry you through? Whatever it is, God is bigger. Let’s go to Him now.

Faithful God, thank you for the gift of memory. Thank you for giving us the ability to recall Your love, Your kindness, and Your faithfulness. Forgive us for keeping in mind anything that keeps us from You. Reach into our lives and cause us to press on toward the goal and the prize. Let our lives reflect Your love and all You have done for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Thinking

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,

whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

If you listen to a sports commentary these days, you likely will hear the words “mental toughness.” Everyone seems to be debating whether certain athletes have the mental strength and resiliency to lead a team to victory.

Personally, I don’t think anyone makes it into professional sports without mental toughness, but regardless of my opinion, the topic made me think of running. Mental toughness is the cornerstone to successful running. The best runners have the power to endure, to focus, and to dwell on the positive. They do not entertain doubt or negativity.

Research on MRI scans show that we never actually think through two conflicting thoughts at the same time. Though we think the mind is good at multitasking, the brain can have only one focus at a time. As runners, we cannot concentrate on drive and success while simultaneously experiencing thoughts of fear and failure.

God made us this way not just because He wants us to be strong runners, but rather so we could be all He has called us to be. He knew that we would be led by what is in our hearts and minds, so He wants those hearts and minds to focus on Him. When God is our focus, there is no room for negative thinking and destructive attitudes. Instead, we find peace. Philippians 4:8 is sandwiched in peace: verse 7 tells us that the peace of God which transcends understanding will guard our hearts and minds and verse 9 tells us that the God of peace will be with us.

What a great treasure that peace is! Anxiety, doubt, disappointment, and other negative thoughts seek to consume and destroy us, taking us away from peace and into despair. But God tells us that His peace, which fears nothing, shall garrison and mount guard over our hearts and minds. The image is of the strongest military force protecting us, giving us and untroubled, undisturbed well-being. What a gift – let’s go to Him now for it.

Lord God, so often my thoughts take control and I forfeit the peace which You lovingly and graciously offer me. Direct my thoughts to You. Remind me to fix my mind and my heart on You and the things that draw me to You. Thank You for Your peace which is totally beyond my understanding. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Overcoming Obstacles

Hebrews 12:1

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…

I ran track in high school and I have to confess I hated it. Track season started outdoors in late winter when Chicago was blustery. I could not take the focus off how cold I was long enough to train properly. One thing that particularly distracted me was the cold air blowing in my ears. I knew there was an invention called "the hat" but I was fifteen years old and winter hats were not cool.

Now, over twenty years later, I run with the wisdom that comes from age and the common sense of being an adult. I sometimes regret that I gave up so easily as a teen and focused on the negative instead of fighting my obstacles and living up to my potential. Instead I was a very average runner and by the end of my first season had earned an "I Hate To Run" award from my coach.

The high school track was not the only place, though, that a willingness to give up caused me to miss opportunities. When I look at my life, I see situations where fear, anger, bitterness, or other sins got in my way of doing the right thing. The author of Hebrews speaks of this in chapter 12. The original text says that sin deftly and cleverly clings to and entangles us. Satan cleverly twists small things to appear insurmountable. I am deceived into thinking that my problems are bigger than God can help me handle.

The reformer Martin Luther commented on this verse, saying that we should "manfully" struggle against the obstacles in our lives that seek to bring us down. This applies to all of us, both men and women, for the dictionary defines manfully as “having or showing boldness, courage, or strength.” We are not to cower or submit in the face of obstacles but to show bravery and confidence when they confront us. Basically, both men and women, we need to Man Up!

When I was in track, I could apologize to my coach and teammates for giving in, but I couldn't stop there. I had to change my ways. Similarly, when we confess our sins and weaknesses before God, He graciously forgives them, but calls us to turn away from them, to repent and fervently fight off that which cleverly seeks to cling to us. Only then can we "run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence,” both on the track and off. Let's go to Him now for that power.

Heavenly Father, we are not alone in our fight. You are always with us, and we thank You for that. Through Your Holy Spirit, encourage us to fight that which is in our way. Help us to not just submit when we feel weak but to know that You are all sufficient as a power within us. Through Your provision, let us run with joy, focusing on finishing strong. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Reflecting God's Love

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Running has the power to reveal who we are. I’m not just talking about who is the fastest or who can endure the longest distance. I’m talking about what is in our hearts – maybe some things we didn’t realize were in there, or things that we hope will remain hidden. When we run, we often discover weaknesses we wouldn’t otherwise be aware of: doubts, fears, bad attitudes, vanity, jealousy, pride, bitterness. Running strips away all excuses and false fronts we have built up. While we are running, we cannot trick ourselves or others into thinking we are different than we are.

So if running is going to expose our characteristics to the world, what do we hope will be seen? The words of 1 Corinthians 13 describe the ultimate goal. Try replacing the word “love” with your first name to see how you measure up. Can you get past the first quality? Karen is patient… Running or not, I cannot say this word describes me. Maybe sometimes. Certainly not often or always. Karen is kind… All the time? To all people, regardless of whether or not they deserve my kindness? Not a chance. By the time I get to the end of the list, I am pretty depressed. I have to admit that the only thing I do perfectly is fail at measuring up.

So did God just give us this list so that we can feel bad about ourselves? No, this list is given to us as a life-changing promise; it reveals the way in which you and I are loved by God.

Though we pick and choose the times we are patient, or run into situations where we believe we cannot be patient, God is perfectly patient. When our kindness runs out, God’s does not. Where we have a mental list of the things people have done unjustly to us, God keeps no record of wrongs. God’s love always protects; it never fails, never ends, and never becomes obsolete. You and I are loved with everlasting love. We are His, and He is ours.

When this kind of love takes up residency in our hearts, it is life-changing. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live according to these words. God can and will miraculously gift us with these qualities. And then our lives, whether we are out running or not, will begin to reflect and reveal something else: not the sinful shortcomings that we wish to hide, but God’s love poured out for all. It wells up inside of us and flows to others, through His power. Let’s go to Him now for that great gift.

Lord God, I don’t have the power to love apart from You. But through Your son Jesus, You have revealed perfect love and give it freely to us to share with others. Thank You for graciously giving loving me. Let your love change my life and let others see your love in all of my words and actions. In Jesus’ loving name I pray, AMEN.

Rejoicing Always

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Running gives us many reasons to rejoice. We rejoice when we win a race or hit a goal. We rejoice when we participate in a favorite type of training: a long run (my personal favorite), a tempo run, a trail run, or a run with friends. We rejoice in great running weather and when we have good health.

So do we rejoice only when things go well? Conventional wisdom tells us yes. After all, when it comes to athletics, we rejoice only in victory. I grew up in the Chicago area where a “W” flag over Wrigley Field at the end of the day meant it was time to celebrate. I lived in St. Louis when the Cardinals won the World Series, and I lived in Dallas when the Mavericks won the NBA Championship. I watched victory parades through the city when the teams were #1. There was no rejoicing for finishing in second place.

Paul, the author of Romans, gives us instructions about rejoicing, but interestingly he does not mention the word “victory.” Instead, he tells us to rejoice in hope. We can’t always count on victory; in fact, in this life we will likely have many more struggles, disappointments, and defeats than wins. But we have hope which is a victory in itself, and better than the fleeting victories we experience in life.

We have hope that the very One who created the universe, who performed miracles to reveal Himself, and who raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of us. We have hope in the promise of Romans 8:32 that He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all will graciously give us all that we need. We have the hope of a Savior who forgives us and wants to share His kingdom with us.

God knows that we are inclined to look to our circumstances, though, and ignore hope. And so He tells us in this verse to be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. Not frequent, nor often, but constant. God wants our fellowship with Him to be never-ending. He does not want us to grow weary of pouring our hearts out to Him. He does not want us to give up after a short time or seek Him only when things are going well. Rejoicing, being patient, and praying are all connected. When we are constant in prayer, we rejoice in hope. When we rejoice in hope, we are patient in tribulation. When we are patient in tribulation, we are inclined to pray and rejoice. It’s like a cycle and it’s all a gift.Rejoicing is good for our souls and should not be reserved just for times of victory. Let’s ask God for this gift.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful that You know and want what is best for us. Thank You that You can and will supply all our needs. Help us to seek you constantly. Give us patience in tribulation. And help us always to rejoice in the hope that You have given us – hope that never ends, no matter what life may bring. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Fearing Nothing

Psalm 118:6

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

It has been over eight months since my surgery and running is going well. Now I want to increase my mileage and the intensity of my workouts. There is no blueprint going forward; I just need to be smart and careful in my training and above all trust God. I need to remember that He is on my side.

The Lord is on my side: does this mean that I’m guaranteed to hit all of the running goals I set for myself? No, it means something better – it means that I do not have to fear what lies ahead. There will be trouble, set-backs, and disappointments. But why should I fear or dread them? God is on my side.

So often, though, I forget or ignore that God is on my side. In fact, I start to believe the opposite. When things are going well, I start to think, “Is this all going to come to a crashing halt? Is God going to throw something at me that I don’t want?” And then I start to depend on things other than Him.

I have to turn that thinking around. I need to remember that God is on my side. No matter what He allows in my life, His plan for me is good. He loves me and can be trusted implicitly. That promise is not just for me – it is for you too.

And the next verse goes even deeper into the promise: the author of the psalm says, “The Lord is on my side as my helper.” The original language translates to “The Lord is on my side and takes my part.” God is not just “with” us, watching with a detached perspective to see how we will handle the situation. He doesn’t just cheer us on. He takes our circumstances upon Himself and provides what we cannot. He gives aid, comfort, relief, and power. When we begin to realize this, we can put our trust in Him rather than the things around us. We can focus on Him rather than our circumstances. We can look with hope and peace to the future rather than look to the future with fear and dread.

Are you in a dark place or feeling alone? Or are you in a good place but cannot enjoy it for fear it will not last? Ask God to help you put your trust in Him. Ask Him to open your eyes to see Him there as your helper. Let’s do that together now.

Lord God, often my attitude is one of fear. I worry about the things of this world and I neglect to realize that You are always on my side. I forget that Your love is perfect and You are eternally trustworthy. Open my eyes to see You in all of my circumstances. Help me to live in peace, knowing You are on my side and helping me. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Unlocking the Door

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Raise your hand if you have ever lost or found a key while running. I have done both. When you realize you have lost your key, panic or dread usually follows. You can be standing at the door of your car or house but without that key you simply cannot get in. Your friend might be with you holding his key – it looks so similar – but it is not the same. No matter how close it looks, it is useless. There is only one key that opens your lock.

Losing a key while running can be a traumatic experience, but eventually you solve your problem and gain entrance. Maybe you call a locksmith or call a family member who has a spare key. But there is a different kind of lock in our lives for which we need a key that is far more critical. It is the lock on Heaven itself – a lock that separates us from God because of sin.

But God loves us and created us out of love for a relationship with Him. He does not want to be apart from us; He does not want us to be locked out. And so He gives us the key: Jesus. And just as only one key is perfectly designed to unlock your house or car, so is Jesus the only key that allows us to enter the presence of God. He is the only way to the Father.

Over the centuries, people have proclaimed that many roads lead to Heaven. They have tried to substitute Christ and His sacrifice with man-made solutions to the lock on Heaven. But Jesus tells us in words that are perfectly clear: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” He alone is the key to God, to Heaven, to the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus’ death on the cross is a gift and His gift is for all who believe. Nonbelievers will look critically at Jesus’ words and say they are exclusive. Well, they are exclusive! Jesus is proclaiming that He is not just “a” way to the Father, He is THE way to the Father. The only way!

And the key that opens Heaven’s doors to us is not just something we will receive after we die. It is something we need now, and something we can behold on this side of Heaven. Jesus is our access to the God of all creation. We can receive His gifts of love, mercy, and forgiveness now. What a bold promise He makes when He says “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Think of how much we need those things right now in the midst of an uncertain and dangerous world.

Let’s not stand on the outside, peering into a locked car or home that we desperately want to climb inside of. Let’s go to Him to unlock the door.

Lord Jesus, we are so thankful that You are the way to our every need and that we do not have to do anything to deserve or earn Your love or the gifts You have for us. Guide us in the way we should go and bless us with your truth and life. In Your strong name we pray, AMEN.

Stilling the Heart

Be still, and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10a

I’ve always been fairly proficient at math. I enjoy puzzles and problems that involve numbers. I recognize patterns and can compute numbers quickly. I’m intrigued with equations and calculations.

Except when I’m running.

For some reason, when I’m running my math IQ reduces to single digits. I cannot add time; I can’t calculate splits; I have no idea how to determine pace per mile. If I stop for a Gatorade at a gas station while running, I marvel that the cash register is able to count back change so accurately.

Though the condition I just described may sound like a serious drawback, I have to say it’s one of my favorite aspects of running. Running clears the mind like nothing else. Whether I have a serious concern on my mind or a basic math problem, running removes the problem from my mind and brings me peace.

God calls us to something similar but even more important in Psalm 46. He tells us to be still and know that He is God. Just as our minds empty of troubles as we run, our hearts need to be empty of worldly concern in God’s presence.

I was surprised to learn that the “be still” command is not a suggestion but a rebuke. It is the same command that Jesus gave to the wind and waves when a storm threatened the disciples’ lives at sea. The storm had begun to destroy the boat, but Jesus commanded the wind and waves to be still. Instantly and completely, they obeyed.

Our hearts can be restless and raging just as the wind and waves were that night. Jesus knows that just as the storm threatened to destroy the boat, the troubles in our hearts can destroy us and our relationship with God. I can temporarily clear my head through running, but I cannot change my heart on my own. Only the One who created my heart can still it and cure the problems that take up residency within it. Only God can give the command, “Be still,” and my heart will obey. Let’s go to Him for that peace.

Lord God, I know that You call me to be still, and I know that my restless heart can be destructive without that stillness. Yet, I am powerless to control it. Please give the command for my heart to be at peace. Let me trust in You for total control over my life. In Jesus’ name I pray…AMEN.

Focusing on Jesus

Matthew 14:28-31

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.

“You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

Someone once said that running has great power over our lives – it can take us to our highest highs and our lowest lows. I find this to be true in my life. When all things running are going great, I’m on the top of the world. But when running does not cooperate, I’m greatly discouraged. Failures in running tend to color my perspective on life.

We have far greater issues in life, though, than defeats in running. And Peter shows us the difference between focusing on the Lord and focusing on the problem. Jesus invites Peter to climb out of a boat and walk on water. Peter follows the directions but realizes he has a choice – to focus on the Lord or to focus on the water. When he keeps his gaze locked on Jesus, he experiences a true miracle – the ability to walk on water. But when he turns his focus to the water, he faces certain death.

Yet Jesus is right there to save Peter and to gently point out Peter’s biggest problem: not that Peter tried to overcome wind and waves nor that Peter was foolish for trying to break the laws of gravity. No, Jesus tells Peter that his biggest problem is his lack of faith and trust. The Savior of the world is right there to ensure Peter’s safety, but Peter decides that the problem at hand is bigger than his God.

Jesus is as close to us as He was to Peter that night. He promises us in the Bible that He will be with us always through His Holy Spirit. He is close enough to reach out to us when we are standing outside of the boat at 3:00 in the morning, focusing on the waves and presuming that we are facing certain death.

How often do we act like Peter and forget that the One who controls the wind and waves can enable us to walk on water? Jesus invites us to come to Him and is able to transcend the problems and dangers that surround us. He does so to increase our faith and to reveal His mighty power. Let’s turn to Him and ask Him to help us keep our focus where it needs to be.

Dear Lord, you are mighty to save us from anything that we face. And yet, we often choose to focus more on the problem at hand than Your ability to overcome it for us. Draw us close to You, through Your word, through worship, and through prayer, that we might have the right focus. Thank You for blessing us with faith and for forgiving us when we do not rely on it. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.

Treasuring God's Gifts

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

As a runner, I boast of strict obedience and discipline when it comes to my sport. On days when I accomplish almost nothing on my to-do list, I invariably can say that I have completed my daily run.

But can I say that I have this level of strict obedience in every area of life? Can I claim that I am disciplined in other areas out of love and passion, the way I am about running? Or do I obey out of obligation and duty?

I am unwilling to cut corners when it comes to running, but when it comes to showing mercy, forgiveness, and patience, I often take an easier way out. When I’m called to be generous with my time and commitment to others, I often do so half-heartedly.

I treasure running and so there my heart is, making sure that it receives top priority. But God has given me other blessings, too, and He has given me the time and talents to take care of those as well. They need to share the place in my heart that I have reserved for running. But selfishly, I don’t give them my whole-hearted attention.

God has called me to give my life to more than just running and He equips me to do what I am called to through His Spirit. But sometimes I want to take the time and talents He has given me and use them for myself. I start to worry about the amount of time I have in my day and look at blessings as schedule interruptions. I treasure that which is temporal and benefits only me. I don’t prioritize the things that are spiritual and could potentially bring eternal blessing to others. And I forget that when He gives me a task or a calling, it blesses me abundantly.

God can and will change my heart and equip me for what He has called me to do. He can turn my heart to treasure the plans He has for me, so that I’m passionate about His work and His kingdom above all else.

As believers, we are God’s hands, feet, and heart. We bring Him to others when we are generous with His gifts. Let’s ask Him for a willingness to do this.

Lord God, thank You for sharing Your love with me, even when I do not deserve it. Thank You that my life is Your priority. Please enable me to be willing to give, live, and love selflessly as Jesus did. In Jesus’ name I pray…AMEN.

Satisfying a Need

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

It’s that time of year again. It is summer, and that means some of the harshest running conditions of the year. It seems like this time of year, there is no escape from the heat and humidity. If you try to run before dawn, it is still close to 80 degrees and the highest humidity of the day blankets the air through which you run. If you try to run after dark, the air is still hot and dry from the day’s heat. Even at 10:00 or 11:00 at night, the temperature is still well over 90 degrees.

During this time of year, we sweat more than ever while running. The rate of perspiration can literally be measured in lost pounds during a single run. We need to hydrate before, during, and after our workouts and races.

Wouldn’t it be devastating to our health if, after sweating off pounds of water weight, we tried to get by without the water we needed? Or what if we sensed a need for hydration, but tried to conjure up a cure within ourselves? What if we just tried really hard to make water exist without actually going to a source of water?

I know these questions sound ridiculous, but when I think about it, sometimes I do such ridiculous things when I have a spiritual need and do not go to The Source who can supply that need for me. I sometimes find myself struggling with a sin or an unbelief, and I try to find a cure on my own. Sometimes I need a spiritual blessing – peace, patience, self-control – and I try to find these things within myself instead of going to God and asking for them.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 to ask and we shall receive. The promise is bold and straightforward. The message is clear with no strings attached. But underlying the statement are several key points: God is powerful and can give all that we need. God is loving and generous and seeks to supply what we lack. And God knows we cannot conjure up what we need within ourselves – it is only through His power that we receive what we lack.

During a race, gracious volunteers stand at several points on the course with cups of water to assist the runners. We go to these volunteers and take what we need. We don’t try to find it within ourselves. Let’s go to God now, and let’s go often, to ask for the things that we need to do His will and glorify Him.

Father, thank You for lovingly and generously giving us the things we need. Please help us to remember to come to You and no one else to satisfy us. Help us to trust that You are able and willing to abundantly supply all we need. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN

Running in the Dark

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

A few days ago, my son and I went for a run at night. We wanted to avoid the heat of the day so we started our run after the sun went down. I didn’t want to tell my son, but I was a little creeped out in the darkness. We ran through a golf course that wound through wooded areas, and I was more than a little afraid of what could be hiding out there. As we approached the thick, overgrown brush, my mind quickly jumped to the potential dangers –a bump in the path that could cause us to stumble, a nocturnal critter, a dangerous person lurking in the shadows.

The run through the dark made me think of my spiritual race. I seek the light – Jesus and His goodness – but in the midst of temptation, the spiritual dark doesn’t seem as creepy as the physical dark. The danger in spiritual darkness is far worse than the potential danger in physical darkness, so why does it seem so appealing? When temptation comes, why don’t I fear what lurks in the dark: the spiritual bump in the path, the nocturnal critter, the head of darkness who lurks in the shadows?

Maybe it’s because I am easily tricked into thinking that spiritual darkness is no big deal. Maybe it’s because I am easily persuaded that sin and its shortcuts can be satisfying beyond the short term. And maybe, most importantly, it’s because I have not fully grasped or fully appreciated the unimaginable love of God who sent His only Son to die for my spiritual darkness.

But that same One who sent his Son to die for me can also open my eyes to the dangers of sin. He can keep me safe during temptation. He can give me wisdom to understand that the wrong things I’m inclined to do are not beneficial or peaceful but deadly.

I am reminded in 1 Peter 2:9 that I am chosen and am God’s purchased special possession. I was called out of the darkness through baptism and each day am called to turn away from sin and its deadly consequences. I am called into wonderful light.

I felt relieved at the end of the run the other night as I entered the light and security of my house. Jesus extends an even better, everlasting comfort and security in His light. Let’s turn to Him now and ask Him to draw us into that light at all times.

Lord Jesus, I can be easily tricked into thinking that there is pleasure and satisfaction in the darkness. Help me to realize that there is danger out there. Help me to run away from it just as I run away from the physical dangers in my life. Thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your own life for me. Help me always and only to declare Your praises. In Your strong name I pray, AMEN.

Experiencing God's Love

Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

What makes a runner a runner? How fast does a person have to run? Does a person have to run a certain number of days, months, or years? If a runner stops running for an extended period, is he still a runner?

What makes a person loved by God? Do we have to behave a certain way? Are there lists of things we are supposed to do? If we have taken roads that lead us away from Him, does He still love us?

Jesus told a parable about a son who completely and deliberately turned away from his father, bringing him great shame. The son ran off to live a wild life and only went back home because he faced great hardship when he ran out of money. He didn’t think his father would welcome him back, and he hoped he could simply be a servant in his house.

But we are told that as the son was journeying back, his father saw him while he was still a long way off; the father had been continually watching for the son’s return. Then the father ran to his son with gracious compassion. Before the son could get all of his words out, the father restored him and planned a celebration because he was back.

The love that the father has in this parable represents the love that God, our Father, has for us. God is willing and eager to welcome us into His arms regardless of where we have been or how long we have been gone. But whereas the father in the parable has remarkable love, God’s love is immeasurable. His love never changes, nor does it ever end.

We may debate the definition of runner, but the necessary conditions to be loved by God are not up for debate. God’s love is unconditional; there is nothing we can do to earn His love, nor is there anything we can do to lose it. God is love.

Have you wandered? Have you left Him? He is watching longingly for your return.

Gracious Father, just like the son in the parable, we confess that we have sinned against Heaven and against You. We are not worthy to be called Your children. But, Father, we know You love us with everlasting love. Your love is perfect and unconditional. Forgive us and restore us in that love. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.

Knowing Who God Is

Exodus 3:14a

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”

When a road race is over, each runner forms his own opinion about the experience. Though hundreds of people have run the same distance, have taken the same turns, and have experienced the same weather, each will have his own perception of the race. Those who are happy with the outcome will say the race was great. Those who enjoyed the venue or achieved a person goal will be happy. Still others will achieve an amazing finish time but be disappointed for not hitting a goal pace.

Opinions based on experience can be harmless when they are connected to running, but do they carry over to our walk with God? Do you find yourself praising God when things go your way but questioning His character when they don’t? When the serpent tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he planted questions about God in their heads: Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” In the dark days of life, do you find yourself echoing Satan’s words? Do you ask, “Is God really who He says He is?”

When we are in the midst of painful circumstances, we start to wonder where God is and why He allows what He allows. But God tells us something critically important in Exodus 3: I AM WHO I AM. In this simple yet complex statement, God tells us that He never changes. He is always good, perfect, pure, and holy. The rest of the Bible goes on to reveal more of His character: tender, loving, Father, Good Shepherd. He is the creator of all things. He is perfect in power. And He remains the same regardless of our experience, opinion, or perception. We cannot comprehend this because it is truly a mystery. We are called simply to trust in this truth.

In our darkest days, though, this might seem impossible. But nothing is impossible for God. Don’t keep your questions and fears to yourself. Don’t imitate Adam and Eve in the garden; when they were confronted with doubts about God, they kept their questions confined to a conversation with each other and with the devil.

Only God will lead us in truth. Are you in a dark place right now? Do you question if God is who He claims to be? Let’s go to Him, the one who will comfort us and restore us.

Lord God, there is no one like You. But in times of pain, suffering, and tragedy, it is hard to remember that. There is only goodness in You, and You are the answer to my every need. Help me to cling to You and to trust in You. Plant Your truths deep in my heart. Let me not doubt all that You have revealed in the Bible. In Jesus’ name I pray…AMEN.

Remembering the Miracle

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

When you come back to running after being away for an extended illness or injury, every workout reminds you that running is a privilege. After not running for months, and wondering if I would ever run again, I find that my workouts are full of praise and thanksgiving. I used to wear headphones to drown out the outside world, but now I run without music so I can savor every glorious moment. With every step, I thank God for the miracle of running again.

But I have to admit that as wondrous as this all sounds, I know that it will not last forever. Not the running part, but the thanksgiving part. The reality is that after a while, I begin to take my blessings for granted.

It reminds me of another miracle that I take for granted – something far more powerful and life-changing. It’s the miracle that gives me eternal life: salvation.

I was baptized as an infant and sealed with the Holy Spirit long before I could really even comprehend what it meant to be saved. But when I was an adult and read 1 John 3:14 (We know that we have passed from death to life) I understood that I could be sure of eternal life in Heaven.

When my pastor showed me this Bible verse, I felt tremendous relief and happiness, and the problems of this world did not get me down. I thanked God with every step I took.

And yet, with time, I began to take the blessing of salvation for granted. And then I slowly began to view worldly things as more important than Heavenly things. I prioritized the temporary ahead of the Kingdom of God. I worried about the future and I tried to find security in things that did not last. And unfortunately, I still do these things. Sure, I “include” God’s Kingdom as “part of my day,” but do I ever make it my sole priority, goal, and passion?

Jesus doesn’t just invite us to seek His grace and bring it to others, he commands it. Why? Because His grace frees us to live in His love. It builds up the Body of Christ. He promises that we do not have to worry about the things of this world. If we seek Him first, He will take care of the rest.

Maybe you, too, have lost gratitude for the miracle and seek the things of this world over Him. Let’s pray together that God will lead us back to Him as our first priority.

Heavenly Father, how amazing it is that You have called us into Your family and are happy to share Your kingdom with us. Forgive us for not seeking You first. Renew our gratitude and let that gratitude draw other people to You and into Your kingdom. Helps us to trust You enough to seek You above all else. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.

Trusting God

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Nearly five months after back surgery, I have been cleared to run. After four months of physical therapy, two follow-up MRIs, two spinal injections, and several bottles of Aleve, I have been told I can go for it.

To be honest, I am almost surprised that I’ve been given the green light. After all, my surgeon and physical therapist are well aware of my conditions – degenerative disc disease and spondylosis. They both know that I have lower back pain every day and limitations in my mobility. But they also both know that running is my passion and that, amazingly, running can slow the progression of my arthritis.

I’m left with a lot of questions, wondering how my future will pan out and how much running it will include. Regardless, though, I’m going to have to trust God daily for direction. In the Bible, the word trust comes from a Hebrew word that means “to feel safe” and “confident.” I like the sound of that. God invites us to feel safe and confident in His plan.

When God tells us not to lean on our understanding, He isn’t just giving us a suggestion but rather, a firm command. God gives us a rich imagination, an ability to dream, and a desire to plan. But He gives us those gifts foremost to bring His light into the world and to further His kingdom. So He wants us to lean on Him and not ourselves for our sense of direction.

God is love and He wants to lovingly protect us. He wants to be the priority in our lives. He wants us to seek Him in all we do. His plans for us and for His kingdom can only be accomplished when we acknowledge Him. He is willing to share His wisdom so that we do not have to rely on our own finite sense of direction.

When I think of it that way – that the God of all creation wants to make my path straight – I cannot help but feel confident in my future, no matter what God’s plans may be. Again, I will be honest: I hope His plan is for me to run a half marathon again someday. But above all, I want the path of my future to glorify Him.

Loving Father, it amazes me that You love me enough to want to be part of my life and that You want to lead me with Your wisdom. Help me to remember that that is what is best for me. Things in this life sure can be confusing and seem disappointing. I usually want to try to figure them out on my own or plow ahead with my own agenda. Remind me that giving it over to You is for my best. Thank You that I can feel sure and confident with You alone. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Clinging to God

Genesis 32: 24-26

So Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the Man saw that He

could not overpower him, He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched

as he wrestled with the Man. Then the Man said, “Let Me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Every runner has needs, and as believers, we take those needs to God. When we have injuries, we pray for healing and patience. When we have defeats, we ask God for comfort and perseverance. Prior to workouts and races we ask God for strength and safety.

Sometimes when we pray, we are given what we ask for almost instantly. Other times, we must wait. And sometimes, while we wait, we stop asking. But why do we stop? Is it because we are at perfect peace with the situation? Or do we stop asking because we start having doubts. Maybe we doubt God’s love, His interest, or His willingness to give.

When Jacob was on his way to meet his brother, he, too, had needs. He had betrayed his brother years earlier and worried about seeing him again. Jacob prayed, confessing his unworthiness but also recalling God’s faithfulness and promises to him.

The next night, Jacob found himself wrestling with God. As the night went on, Jacob did not give up. He told God he would not let Him go until He blessed him. Years earlier, Jacob had obtained a blessing through trickery and deceit. But now he single-heartedly clung to God for a blessing. Even after injury, he did not give up. He knew God was the only source for help.

While we wait for God’s answer and while we “wrestle” with Him, what do we do? Jacob, in this situation, clung to God’s goodness, His ability, His promises, and nothing else. He did not give up and look to other people or things to bless him. He knew the only good and perfect blessing came from God.

So often I fail to do this. I give up the wrestling match and turn instead to other means of comfort, strength, and blessing. I turn to things that have no power, but I ascribe power to them. They seem satisfying for a short time but always fail me. And even when I’m inspired by Jacob’s example, I forget that Jacob wasn’t acting on his own power but rather God’s power in him. He could not have conjured up the strength to persist in a wrestling match on his own. God gave him that determination so that He in turn could be glorified.

Let’s turn to God and ask for the blessings we need to glorify Him. Let’s ask for the faithfulness to persist and the single-heartedness to cling to God and to look nowhere else for the blessing.

Lord God, You are the perfect giver of all my needs. You are the true source of the blessings in my life. Please give me what I need today to glorify you. Let me persist in seeking Your blessing and look for contentment in nothing else. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Strengthening the Core

Hebrews 12: 1-2

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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Runners, I’m guessing that you have been told that in order to improve your running and prevent injury, you must work on your core. Strength training on the core of your body – your abs, glutes, and lower back – has been proven to increase your stability, power, endurance, and efficient form throughout a race. But often we don’t listen to core training advice until injury occurs. Even then, we may work on it for a little while but as soon as we are fit, core training takes a back seat to running. Each of us has time constraints and when pressed, mileage takes priority over all else.

Do the running experts tell us to strengthen the core to make us feel guilty? Do they want us to see this area of our running as an obligatory, dreadful time that we have to do? No, they call us to devote time to this area of training because it is beneficial and sustaining. They know it is critical to our success and they want to help us achieve our goals.

I hate to admit it, but sometimes I neglect my spiritual core as often as I neglect my physical core. Pressed for time, I choose to run through the events of my day and skip spending time with God. I do not set aside the time to pray, read the Bible, and meditate on His goodness.

So how does that work out for me? I may get by for a little while, thinking that everything is working out just fine. But then I lose my endurance. I cannot keep an efficient form. I become injured.

When God calls us to focus on our spiritual core, He isn’t trying to guilt us into spending time with Him. He calls us because He knows it sustains us. He loves us and knows this relationship is more important than anything else in our lives.

So how do we work on our spiritual core? The author of today’s Bible verse tells us to throw off the sin that entangles and everything else that hinders. He tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, for He creates and perfects faith within us. We are called to devote time in our day to Him: reading His word, confessing our sins, rejoicing in His forgiveness, and praising Him. Through nothing else will we be sustained. Let’s pray for His help in doing all this.

Thank you, Father, that you sustain us. You give us power, stability, and endurance to do all that You have called us to do. Help us to turn to You for the strength we need. Thank You that You offer it so abundantly and freely. Show us that we can only get it from You. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Praying for Freedom

Psalm 142:7a

Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.

My favorite type of run is the long, easy run. It is meditative to me, and I find it easy to see God’s glory in the area around me. It is effortless to worship God on a run like that.

When I am running my hardest, though, I do not find it as easy to praise God. If I am really struggling, I may not think of Him at all except to plea to Him for help.

Being in such a desperate physical state is like being temporarily imprisoned. There is no freedom until the run is over. But even the hardest workout or race eventually comes to an end and then the relief and rejoicing begin.  

Some prisons, though, do not come with quick relief. These are the mental, emotional, and spiritual prisons. It’s when a giant problem looms with no end in sight, no solution that seems possible. Since I had back surgery in December, I often feel this way. I have lingering back pain and I find myself struggling with worry: I worry that I won’t be able to run again. I worry that I will spend my life in pain.

Struggling in this way certainly does not feel temporary when I am in it.  And filling my time with worry and doubt takes the place of worshipping God. So what can I do if I feel imprisoned? How can I possibly escape my sentence of fear, doubt, worry, and despair, and turn instead to praising God?

David, the author of today’s Bible verse, leads us with his example. When he wrote this psalm, he was in desperate need as people pursued him to take his life. But David was completely honest in his plea. He knew he was incapable of praising the God without His help. And yet he knew that praising God would be a comfort to him. Thus, he asked God to set him free from his prison so that he could praise Him. He prayed that God would open his heart, despite his circumstances. God heard David and answered his prayer.  

God knows us and our situations, and He hears our prayers just as He heard David’s. God is amazingly willing and sufficiently able to free us from our prisons. What imprisons you today? Let’s pray that God will turn set us free and set our hearts to praising Him.

Father, I am in a place of inescapable trouble. I see no way out and no chance for hope. My prison prohibits me from praising You and Your holy name. Lord God, You are infinitely bigger than the problem that enslaves me. Please free me from my prison, that I may praise Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.