Running the Race INTRODUCTION CHOOSE PROPER EQUIPMENT CONSUME PROPER NOURISHMENT. By Mark Mayberry 10/25/2015

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1 Running the Race By Mark Mayberry 10/25/2015 INTRODUCTION Today, running is a popular form of exercise, sport and recreation. We run for reasons of health and fitness. Yet, in former times, running was a part of everyday life and duty. Soldiers ran before the king s chariot (1 Sam. 8:10-12; 1 Kings 1:5). Messages were conveyed by runners. When the sons of Jesse were encamped with King Saul in the valley of Elah, David was instructed to run to check on his brothers, carrying provisions, and bringing back news (1 Sam. 17:17-19). After Absalom was slain and his rebellion subdued, two runners hastened to report the news to King David (2 Sam. 18:19-33). Sometimes the imagery of running is poetic and symbolic. In its daily march across the heavens, the sun is likened to a strong man running his course (Psa. 19:1-6, esp. vs. 6). Running is symbolic of life itself (Prov. 4:10-13), on occasion representative of evil (Prov. 6:16-19; Isa. 59:7-8; 1 Pet. 4:3-4), otherwise emblematic of faith (Psa. 119:31-32; Isa. 40:29-31; 1 Cor. 9:24-27). CHOOSE PROPER EQUIPMENT Runners need to choose proper equipment. Back in high school, having no knowledge of the importance of good footwear, I developed a debilitating case of shin splints when trying out for the track team. Today, athletes can choose from a wide variety of shoes, each designed for a different activity. In my case, I wear ASICS GEL-Kayano running shoes, Superfeet Premium Insoles, and Smartwool running socks. From a spiritual standpoint, we also need to be properly equipped: Sacred Scripture empowers us for every authorized task, and equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:13-17). Likewise, we need the equipping that is made possible through the various offices and functions that God has placed in the church (Eph. 4:11-13). Describing the full armor of the Christian solider, Paul spoke of the need for proper footwear: having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE (Eph. 6:11-16, esp. vs. 15; cf. Rom. 10:15). CONSUME PROPER NOURISHMENT Runners need proper hydration and appropriate nourishment. My wife, Sherelyn, provides us with healthy and nutritious meals; each morning before running, I eat half a banana and drink a

2 bottle of water containing a hydration packet that helps replenish vitamins and minerals. When conditions are less than ideal (hot and humid) or if I am running further than 10 km, I will also consume an energy bar. From a spiritual standpoint, we need the strength that comes from sharing a relationship with God (2 Sam. 22:29-30; Psa. 18:28-29), and nourishment that is derived from His word (1 Tim. 4:6). Speaking to the woman at the well, Jesus encouraged her to drink from the water of life (John 4:13-14; Rev. 7:16-17; 21:6). Addressing Jews who implied that if Moses could provide manna, Jesus could do better, our Lord admonished His audience to desire Bread that comes down from heaven (John 6:30-35). START SLOW & WORK UP When someone begins running, they should start slow and work up. Many mistakenly overexert themselves at first, resulting in extreme soreness, and even injury. When I started running, approximately 7 years ago, I started slow and gradually worked up. I would run 100 steps and walk 100 steps, and repeat. After a few days, when my body had adjusted to that level of exercise, I would run 200 steps, and walk 100 steps, slowly increasing the duration of my run. Eventually, I was able to run a mile without stopping. In time 5 km runs became 10 km runs. I have even run several half-marathons. At this point, after years of running, my goal is to run 30 miles a week, or 120 miles a month, but that did not happen overnight. From a spiritual standpoint, we start as babes, and gradually grow, moving from milk to meat (1 Pet. 2:1-3; Heb. 5:12-14). Christianity contains a growth imperative: not remaining in a state of spiritual immaturity, we must grow up in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:14-16). God gives strength to the weary, empowering us to mount up with wings like eagles, to run and not get tired, to walk and not become weary (Isa. 40:29-31). KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE HORIZON When running, I try to keep my head up and my eyes focused on the horizon in front of me. The average human head is pounds in weight. Looking down at your feet throws your balance off. Also, you do not know where you are going, or what obstacles lie ahead. In a similar way, we should keep our heads up while running the Christian race. Do not become discouraged. Do not forget where you are going. Looking past our momentary afflictions, we should focus upon things that are eternal (2 Cor. 4:17-18). Pressing toward the finish, may we keep our eyes upon the goal (Phil. 3:13-16). Remembering the admonition of the Hebrew writer, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2).

3 RELAX & LIVE/FOCUS ON THE MOMENT A good runner is a relaxed runner. While running, I consciously try to relax my jaw, shoulders, arms and fingers. Physical tension is wasted energy. Also, in the midst of a run, when fatigue becomes pronounced, it does not help to think, I have FOUR more km before the end. Focus on the present. Ask yourself, Can I keep going right now? If Yes, focus on the moment. In like manner, we should not waste spiritual energy in worry. While its failures may be forgiven, the past cannot be undone; the future, with all its potential perils and possibilities, has not yet arrived, but lies in the hands of God. Therefore, let us not worry over things we cannot change, what does not matter, what was, or what might be (Matt. 6:31-34; Phil. 4:6-7), but dedicate ourselves to living in the moment. Today is the only time that truly matters, the only aspect of our lives over which we have some measure of control (2 Cor. 6:1-2; Heb. 3:7-19). EMBRACE THE DISCOMFORT & DIFFICULTY Running is not always fun. I usually wake up around 5 a.m. and five days a week I drive to Alvin Community College and run for an hour, usually between 6-7 a.m. It s not always easy. Sometimes I do not sleep well. During 6 months of the year, it is hot and humid. Some mornings, when conditions are perfect, running is a glorious experience. Most of the time, it ain t no fun. Embrace the misery. Just do it. In the spiritual realm, the same truth applies. Sometimes folks think the Christian life is a bed of roses, and then they discover the thorns. Let us exult in tribulations, knowing the benefits that come from facing and overcoming the same (Rom. 5:3-5). Like Paul, let us boast, not in our power, but in our weakness, being content in the face of distresses and difficulties, knowing that when we are weak, then we are (or become) strong (2 Cor. 12:7-10). RUN WITH PATIENCE: GO! GO! GO! While running is an individual activity, we benefit from the encouragement of others. Taking advantage of the track at Alvin Community College, I have become familiar with a group of walkers/runners who regularly exercise between 6-7 a.m. Although our interaction is limited, we often greet one another in passing, offering words of mutual encouragement, waving, or giving each other a thumbs-up, saying, Go! Go! Go! The imagery of Hebrews encourages believers to run the Christian race. Drawing inspiration from the heroes of faith who have gone before, and looking to the perfect example of Jesus, let us run with patience (Heb. 12:1-2). Like Paul, we must press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-16).

4 MAINTAIN PROPER FORM/REGULAR SELF-CHECKS Runners need to maintain proper form. Over the course of a run, I consciously go down the following checklist: Am I keeping my head up with my eyes on the horizon? Jaw relaxed? Shoulders level? Arms in an L-shape with forward (not cross) movement? Hands relaxed, as if holding an egg? Am I standing straight, with my body slightly tilted forward? Am I keeping my stride tight, landing on the balls of my feet? Every few minutes, I consciously repeat this self-check, making corrections as needed. If I begin feeling especially tired, if I get a stitch in my side, or if the run seems especially hard, it is usually because I am not maintaining proper form. Focusing on proper form helps offset the effects of exhaustion and fatigue, making it possible to end strong and achieve a negative-split. In like manner, Christians should be obedient to that form of teaching to which they are committed, i.e., the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:17-18). We must retain the standard of sound words received by revelation (2 Tim. 1:13-14). Observing the Lord s Supper on a weekly-basis, Christians look back to the cross, forward to the Christ s return, and inward in honest self-examination (1 Cor. 11:27-32). More generally, we test ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5-6). REST, RECOVER & REPEAT After strenuous activity, our physical bodies need rest and recovery. Spiritually, the same is true. When the disciples returned from their training mission (Mark 6:7-13), Jesus said, Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while (Mark 6:30-32). Paul looked forward to the refreshing rest he would find in shared association with the disciples at Rome (Rom. 15:30-33). Rest, recover and get back in the race. Exercise must be repeated if it is to have lasting benefit. In like manner, the early disciples continually devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:41-42). Let us continually serve the Lord, and not become negligent or slothful (Heb. 13:15-16). CONCLUSION Near the end of his life, Paul said, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Will we be able to make the same affirmation? Will we enjoy the same hope? How are you running the Christian race? Have you started, or are you standing on the sidelines? Was there a time when you were running well, but someone or something is now hindering you

5 from obeying the truth (Gal. 2:2; 5:7)? Do you remain in the arena as an active competitor, diligently striving, determined to finish your course (Acts 20:22-32, esp. vs 24; 1 Cor. 9:24-27)?