Friday, May 24, 2013

I'm running...

May 24:
Living a Life that Matters… 

Philippians 3:12-21

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.”



These verses remind me of the half-triathlon I ran a few years ago. A girlfriend of mine had been encouraging me & another friend to train for a triathlon. We excitedly agreed, as we had long desired to get our tookus’ [a] in gear. The ¼ mile swim, 15 mile bike ride & 5k run seemed the perfect way to do gloriously celebrate transitioning our bodies into our 40’s.  

I’m a runner. I love the whole running thing… from the beginning of lacing up the running shoes, to stretching out my muscles, taking off like lightning, lungs burning & legs pumping, to passing out on the grass in front of my apartment when it’s over. I have to admit other than running, I really don’t enjoy exercise in any shape or form. I don’t enjoy weight training or resistance training or yoga or complicated cardio. I’m not competitive or coordinated & tend to get bored quickly. I’d much rather hit the trail & take in the scenery around me. 

Anyhoo… back to the triathlon… 

I took the training pretty seriously as I am a pretty poor swimmer & as you may have gathered, am not the slightest bit athletic. So I purchased “Triathlon’s for Dummies”, charted out a plan & spent my summer days alternating the swimming, biking & running.  

The morning of the race dawned bright & clear. I was prepared & excited. As the gun went off & my competitive friends took off, I eased myself down into the water (with the grandma’s lest I be kicked in the head by those crazy competitive people bent on breaking some kind of record) & decided that my plan would be to stay focused on what was directly in front of me & enjoy the race. 

I somehow managed not to drown, enjoyed a leisurely ride around the lake & finally hit the ground running on wobbly legs. Just following my plan & the people in front of me, I ran & I ran & I ran. After while it occurred to me that it seemed like much longer than a 5k… in fact it was the longest three miles of my entire life. Just about the time I asked someone along the path where we needed to turn around… I came across the turnaround… the turnaround for the 10k. 

Similarly, & quite often, along my spiritual ‘run’ I find myself losing my focus on the Goal… Sometimes I follow the deceitfully sweet words of comfort that my culture wants to me hear, or a well meaning Christian who may seem to have a heart for the things of God. Sometimes I just get hung up on a fabulous idea that takes me down a path never meant for me… 

Philippians 3 reminds me not to allow those ancillary things to filter in… but to remain resolute. Committed. Focused on the Goal. 
Jesus. 
My Goal. 
My Prize. 


  
“If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full.” - John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

 [a] Tookus is British slang for the backside, the buttocks.

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