All week I had planned for a long run of 12 miles on Sunday afternoon. I was looking forward to a little quiet time, nothing but the sound of my feet hitting the pavement and the thoughts in my own head. Then Sunday rolled around and it was raining, it was raining when I went to worship, it was raining when I got home, it was raining after lunch. What would I do?
I could have run on the treadmill but anything over 5 miles on the treadmill I find desperately boring, so I decided to put on my running shoes and head out into the inclement weather for a 12 mile run! As I started running I found myself wondering if I was a fair weather runner or if I would run no matter what the conditions where? As the rain fell on me and I slowly became soaked to the skin I found myself really enjoying the challenge of keeping pace in spite of the weather.
As I ran further I started to think about whether I was a fair weather follower of Jesus, following him only when the weather was good and the conditions are right but not bothering about being his follower when it didn't seem prudent or the winds of life where blowing in a direction that it would cost me something to be his disciple. (Yes even pastors have these kinds of thoughts)
After an 12 miles of running at an 8:12 pace I had concluded once again that I wanted, needed, to be a follower of Jesus Christ no matter what circumstances life throws at me.
When I run I can always return to the treadmill during inclement weather but I don't want to run and go nowhere! In my walk with Christ, I can always retreat from the world and fill my time in the Christian sub-culture but that does nothing to fulfill the Great Commission and usher in the Kingdom of God. It's like running on a treadmill, OK for occasional training purposes but not the real thing.
Let's get our there and live our lives for Christ in the real world, the messy world, the world that was loved so much that the Son of God died for it. May we learn to have the heart of God and not be fair weather followers of Jesus.
Neil- thanks for letting me get lost in your bl(j)oggings....it occurred to me that even when you dont feel like you are getting anywhere or feel fairweathered...at least you are still running. At least you didn't get off the track...stay strong and good luck to Jenny...as much as i love you man...my money may still be on her!
Posted by: Tobin Wilson | June 04, 2007 at 08:58 PM
I have by 30 seconds a mile at the moment... I'll enjoy it while it lasts!
Posted by: Neil | June 11, 2007 at 11:17 AM