I’ve learned a lot of life lessons since I’ve started running. It’s amazing how learning a skill in one area can filter into many other areas of life. We need to be watchful that what we are taking in are good things and not destructive.
I decided to do my shorter run this morning, which basically consist of running 4-5 laps around a small block of houses that surround my home. I’ve calculated that 5 times around is the equivalent of running a 5K. As I came up on the 3rd turn, I realized that I automatically ran to the far corner in order not to skip any of the strides that I need to truly complete a 5K. I was amazed how I do this without a second thought now. When I first took up my new hobby of running, I would want with everything in me to cut that corner short. After all, does it really matter? I will admit that I did skip it quite a few times early on in my training.
I got up early one morning in September 2009, I laced up my shoes, and headed out on this particular course. I was so tired, but skipping my run this day was not an option because I was training for a 1/2 marathon. I knew that I had to learn how to push through the mental and physical fatigue. I had my Ipod set, so off I went. Like always, I thought about it as I came up to it but I again cut this corner short. I dismissed the knowing that I shouldn’t skip it and went for the logic of, no one will know, it’s only a few steps. As I headed down the next road I heard that still small voice say to me, “If you cut this corner short you’ll also cut others.” Ouch! I’ve never skipped it since.
On occasion I will have someone join me for a run. One day I had a friend join in on this same path and he, too, tried to avoid those few extra steps. I found myself coaching him on with the words, “No, No. If you cut this corner short you’ll also cut others.” Instantly I realized one of the valuable lessons God was teaching me in the new activity I picked up. Others are watching and following our actions. I heard my friend let out a little huff, but he went back and tagged that corner.
It was at this intersection today that God showed me how practice makes permanent. I automatically ran up to that corner. It has become a part of me. It would feel unnatural to leave it out of my run, the race would not be complete.
Doing what’s right is not always easy at first. Our relationship with God can be the same way. He may call us to do something, say something, or live a certain way that doesn’t make sense or even seem to have a purpose, but He always has a reason for His request. It may be that He’s conditioning us so we can do something we never realized we could do. I was preparing for a simple sports event, but God has had a much greater purpose for my training. We must also remember that it’s not always about us. God may send someone to run alongside us for a time, and we need to be prepared to lead. We cannot effectively lead others without our own strength training and following God’s lead first. Jesus wants us to understand this so much so that He repeated Himself twice.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4-5
It’s taken me a long time to come to this level of comfort with “my corner” but we now have a beautiful relationship.
What is God asking you to do that doesn’t make sense? Do you have any “corners” that you’ve conquered, that only make sense now that you’ve made the turn?
~Shannan
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