I’ve been thinking about running lately. That may have been misleading. You may think I was actually entertaining the thought of lacing up my shoes and hitting the pavement.  Not quite.

You see, I’ve never been much of a runner. I vividly remember my first go at it. I was in the 7^th grade. Donned in a blue and white striped jumper I headed out to the field where the PE teacher assigned various track opportunities for each student.

Apparently, she thought my bony frame would lend itself to long-distance running. In reality, all my bony frame had to offer was a winded performance punctuated by side-of-the-track vomiting. Yeah. I was that good.

Call it scarred for life but after that I forswore running of any kind.

It’s just that lately…I’ve been running.

I’ll bet you have too. We run off to work. We run to pick up kids. We run to the store. We run to meet our spouse or friend. We run home to cook supper. We run by the church to volunteer. We run out of food and money in the account. We run out of patience. And we run out of strength.

We. Run.

This morning I decided I needed help in my race. (Vomiting on the side of the track is so unappealing.) The bible has three things to say about running that encouraged me. Perhaps they’ll encourage you too.

We can run and not grow weary.

How fitting that the heading over this particular verse reads, “Messages of Comfort.” Let’s face it. Running is hard work, consequently it can get uncomfortable. Whether it’s an ache in the side, a tight hamstring or a parched throat; running (especially extended running) makes us weary.

Listen to these verses from Isaiah:

“[God] doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.” Is. 40:28-29 MSG

“…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Is.40:31 NIV

How comforting to know that hope in Him enables us to run and not grow weary.

We run to win.

I smiled when I read this verse.

 “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athlete’s race. Everyone runs, one wins. Run to win.” 1 Cor.9:24 MSG

Paul continues. He talks about discipline, going after the eternal prize, and not running aimlessly. Good stuff.

But the three word sentence I’ll remember is “run to win.” Perhaps it’s because this thought appeals to my competitive side. Or maybe it’s the vision of Paul penning these words from a wooden table, on dusty parchment with hardly a penny to his name that impresses me. In spite of how it looked on the outside, Paul had the audacity to say He was in it for the win.

You and I must run to win.

We can run with perseverance

This last verse is the one that currently resonates the most for me.

“Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb. 12:1 NIV

I’m holding back tears as I respond to this piece of truth.

Each of us is running our own marathon. Some of us are dealing with chronic pain, severed relationships, or financial hardship. You name it…”the race marked out” looks different for each of us.

Not easy races. No wonder they require perseverance.

Here’s the part that turns on the tears. You and I are not alone.

Did you get that? This is so important I’m going to say it again.

You are not alone.

We have cheerleaders! Not a single one of us is running alone. Some of those cheerleaders we can see and touch. They’re like those folks at stations in a race that come along side and splash water on the weary contestant or force a cup in the runner’s hand and tells them to drink.

Perhaps, your cheerleader is a good friend, family member, pastor or counselor. Maybe they’re a stranger that demonstrated kindness.

My heart bursts with gratitude for those souls. I give thanks for them.

If cheerleaders on a temporal plane feel like their lacking, please hear this truth…

Heaven is full of forerunners that forged your trail.

The Message says it this way;

“Do you see what this means——all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—–and never quit.” Heb. 12:1

Imagine that… real people who know exactly how hard the race is but they completed it and now they are cheering us on. Hard to believe that someday you and I will be among that “great cloud of witnesses.” Then it will be our turn to cheer.

I don’t know what race you are running but remember…

• We can run and not grow weary.
• We’re running to win.
• We can run with perseverance because we have cheerleaders…and one day, we’ll be cheerleaders too!

“Clear the path for long distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” Heb. 12:13

{We’re NOT alone in our race! Hop over to Suzie Eller’s #livefree community where you’ll find encouraging words from fellow runners!}

Your (running) DoAhead Friend,