a body in motion tends to stay in motion

On more than one occasion when I’ve talked to people about my training for the marathon I’ve received a response like “Wow, that’s nice.  I wish I could do something like that.”  I then think back to the times when I thought the exact same thing.  Now having run a few marathons I  may look at people who run 50 miles -  and think that, but I’m more apt to think “I could do that, but why?”

What’s my point here.  Let me share another story.  I get the chance often to talk about my family’s adoption journey.  My wife and I adopted 3 children from China over a period of 6 years – all after our 42^nd birthdays.  We now have a wonderful family consisting of  two biological children, ages 23 and 9, and 3 adopted children, ages 8, 8 , and 10.  And people say things like “Wow, that’s nice.  I wish I could do something like that.”

When I started running I never thought I could run a marathon, let alone 5 miles.  It takes a lot of dedication, early morning runs in the cold, long runs on the weekends, and lots of ibuprofen.  When you can barely run a mile, 26.2 miles seems like climbing Mt Everest (and there are people who do that).  But after you are able to run a mile, 2 miles doesn’t seem so hard. After 2 miles, 5 becomes a possibility and so forth. 

We never planned on adopting three kids.  13 years after the birth of our son we thought we’d end up parents of an only child. And we were OK with that.  Hitting my 40^th birthday I wasn’t looking for an extended parenting career. Then my daughter came.  What an awesome, unexpected blessing she is.  But now after 2 kids, 3 doesn’t seem so hard.  So we adopted.  Well after 3 kids, you get the picture…but we did stop at 5!

You may not ever desire to run a marathon, or be called to adopt kids (though you may want to really inquire of God about that!).  But what may God be calling you to do and your response now is “Wow, that’s nice.  I wish I could do something like that”.  These adventures are not just for certain people.  One of my favorite passages from the Bible is James 5:17-18 

  “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (NIV)

Wow!  Elijah, a great man of God – was just like us?  He challenged the prophets of Baal – and won!.  He prayed for a drought… and God answered.  He prayed for rain, and it poured!. 

One of the most important concepts of physics is this: “A body in rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion, unless the body is compelled to change its state.

Running involves motion.  The Christian race involves motion.  If you are not moving the tendency is to stay put.  If you are moving, it’s easier to move further.  Find out what God is calling you to do, look to Elijah (he was just like us, remember) or those saints in Hebrews 12 who have gone before us, or others whom God has used to inspire us…and

Run On!

The First Mile

The First Mile

Over the past year I have fallen in love with running again, and by the grace of God my knees have graciously cooperated with my addiction.  Last Saturday I ran 14 miles; the longest I’ve run in over 8 years.  The amazing part of that is I felt I could have gone further – and I will, in the weeks to come.  This Saturday is an “easy” 6 miler but next weekend includes a 16 miler (followed by an 18 and a 20 in the following two weeks). 

But last week the 14^th mile wasn’t the toughest one – it was the first!  The first mile is often one of the hardest. 

Why?

During the first mile my body has many complaints.  “Why are we doing this, it’s cold and windy”  “I’m tired, it’s only 5:30AM”, “I’d rather be_________” , “Can we go home now?”  I often have to fight through that first mile as my body becomes adjusted (and succumbs)  to its task.  The temptation to quit in those first 10 minutes can be pretty strong.  In the winter I often dress as if it would be 20 – 25 degrees warmer to adjust for the exercise warm-up.  By mile 2 or 3 I usually feel plenty warm (if not too warm).  But that first mile is cold.  Try being outside on a 30 degree day in shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt.  Brrr!  But once the body is warmed up and over the initial complaints we are cruising – and yes, even a 14 mile run can be enjoyable (we’ll talk about 16 or miles at a later time).  But I’ve been through enough first miles to know that subsequent miles get better.

So the question is – what about those “other” first miles in our lives.  Those things God calls us to do that we know will be exciting and meaningful, but very uncomfortable at first.   How many times have I called it quits in the first mile because I felt inadequate, uncomfortable, or numerous other excuses.  Maybe I didn’t even get to the starting line to avoid the first mile blues.  I need to consider again those folks in Hebrews 12:1 who have already gone ahead of me and our ready to cheer me on.  And to fix once again my focus on Christ.  All the time I can remember the promise of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

How about you?

Run on!