runnin' fools

Who likes to run? You? Oh good...that makes one of us. Who knows you should stretch before you run? You do? Awesome; that makes two of us. Guess who had a stupid moment this morning? Gosh, you're smart. *I* did. My calves will not be my friends when I wake up later today.

I hate running. Do not like it at all. Do not like huffing and puffing like a 4 pack a day smoker, do not like my hair frizzing itself into oblivion. I do not like it, Sam I am. I'd rather have green eggs and ham. I'm really not going to like it as I start to run more than 60 seconds at a time.

I've heard of these nutters who enjoy running. They talk about "runner's high"...evidently it hits around mile 18? I'm sorry...I would not be high at that point. I'd be dead! These fools buy Nike, Adidas, and New Balance like other folks buy Versace, Prada, and (insert your fave brand here). They run more miles per day than I DRIVE. They run in rain, snow, fog, blistering heat, hurricanes...they never miss a day, no matter what. Their feet and legs look awful if you get up close. But have you seen the rest of their bodies? These people may seem nuts to the rest of us, but they look GOOD, y'all. And to hear them talk, they FEEL good. After a while, they crave their time on whatever surface they choose to discipline themselves with.

I admire them. I want to be like them one day.

I know another type of nut too. These people LOVE their Jesus. They run to Him with every hurt, every joy, every everything. He and His word are their passion. They do everything they can to like him. Have you seen their fb statuses? They're spending their own money to go to other countries and love on their fellow human brothers and sisters. They're even adopting abandoned children...doing for the least of these what Jesus did for all of us.

They are in the Word every day. Doesn't matter if they're busy or tired or overbooked. They MAKE time to spend with the Father because spiritual well-being is integral to a healthy, balanced life. And slowly, over time, they begin to see a change: not in their bodies, necessarily, but in their HEARTS. Their vision changes. They become fools for Christ; seeking only Him and His desires. They are euphoric as they discipline their hearts to follow Him. They have hurts and bruises too, but have you seen their hearts? They look GOOD, y'all. And to hear them tell it, they FEEL good, too. They crave their time with the Father.

I so admire them. I want to follow Christ like they do.

I switched from regular to diet soda at the beginning of the year. I went off diet 5 days ago. I can tell already that I'm not as tired. I've been trying to walk/run(ish) a couple times a week at least. I want to be healthier just for me.

I'm reading through the bible this year, a little every day. I want to look deeper into spiritual disciplines. I want to be ravished by the Lover of my soul.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25

Thanks for the comparison, Paul.