Romans 15 (NIV)
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
I am a marathon runner – not a particularly good one, mind you, but a marathon runner none the less. I began running a few years ago in a effort to get some personal discipline in my own life. I decided that about the only type of run I could set a goal for and not cram (a polite way of saying procrastinate – which is why I needed discipline in my life!) was by running a marathon.
I say that because anytime I run across the word “endurance” in Scripture, my eyes immediately draw to it. So I was drawn immediately to verse 4 this morning. Verse 4 is POWERFUL to me… if I might summarize… The Bible was written to teach me. If I will persist digging into God’s word, God himself will encourage me and the byproduct will be hope.
I think the endurance part doesn’t just relate to digging into God’s word, but in enduring the trials of life; in learning how to apply God’s word to every situation; in learning to hear God’s voice in the midst of the storm; in learning to be victorious by total surrender to Jesus Christ… because it is NOT easy!
James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.
James tells us that we ARE going to have trials and storms – “… of many kinds…”. Check out verse 4… if allowed to finish its work, perseverance will make us mature and complete. The Romans passage says God gives us endurance which leads to hope and unity. So – my question becomes – Does “maturity” and “completeness” – or my progression toward such – manifest itself as hope and unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ? Interesting question to ponder.
Endurance running has certainly changed my perspective on my Christian walk, both from a physical discipline as well as from an spiritual discipline. For me, a 20-30 minute run is less fulfilling than a 1-2 hour run. The same thing is happens in my spiritual walk – I’d rather spend a hour or more digging into the word than just reading a brief passage or a 5 minute devotional; memorizing a verse here and a verse there is much less satisfying than memorizing a chapter and whole book of the Bible; Consequently, if I don’t have an hour for study and memorization, then more times than not, I end up skipping with a mindset of I’ll “do it later” – again, another nice way to say “procrastinate.” (see first paragraph)
Having said that, I’ve let this attitude ruin my discipline. If you look at marathon training plans, there are more days of “short runs” than “long runs”. Usually there is only 1 or 2 days that include a “long run” (2+ hours). When I am diligent about the short runs, I’m in better condition for and enjoy my long run so much more. It’s the same in my spiritual life and this is extremely important. I need to spend time DAILY “training” myself and taking in the Word. Having 3-5 days of “short run” studies and readings tees up my “long run” days to be much more in-depth and fruitful. When I through the “short run” days, I am conditioned and have seeds of God’s word planted in my spirit that I can chew on and let God work in my heart so that on my “long run” day(s), I am ready to receive what He has to give me.
Another spiritual parallel to marathon training is this. In every marathon training program, the day after a “long run” is a scheduled “recovery day”. This is a day of either rest or a slow / easy jog or walk. Spiritually, I see this as a quiet day before the Lord – listening and reflecting on the week’s reading and what God is teaching me. I think this could be a day of fasting and prayer.
The more I write about this the more I am continually amazed at the parallels of endurance training and the Christian walk. Look for more in future blogs…
Today’s food for thought:
- I need my daily “short runs”. Heb 12:1 (NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great 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. “
- I need my regular “recovery runs” to listen and quietly be before Papa. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV) “2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“
When I consider, really consider the cross, the pain, the endurance that Christ demonstrated on my behalf, I am overwhelmed with His love, His mercy, His grace, and His compassion for me. It inspires me. It makes me want to be more like him. He becomes my hero, who I want to emulate. Praise God that I don’t have to do it on my own! I all I have to do is get out of the way and let Him take control.
Run on!
Running After Papa…