An extra 60 pounds lagging behind

My puppy, Zoe, is now 9 months old.  I figure if I want her to become a good running buddy, it’s now or never in terms of training her to learn how to run by my side.  For three days in a row, Zoe accompanied me on my runs.  

I set out with my new running gear, put Zoe on the leash that ties conveniently around my waist, and set out for what I thought to be a crazy run.  I imagined Zoe pulling me down the road, tripping me, and running at least 5 miles per hour faster than I wanted to run.  However, this was not the case.  For the first mile and a half, she ran right by my side.  In fact, I kept looking down to make sure the leash was still intact because I couldn’t even feel her there.  But this is not where the run ends.  After those first few minutes of running glory, things took a turn for the worse.  Zoe was done running.  I called for her to “heel,” I took the leash in my hands and pulled her close to me, I cheered her on, I whistled, I even resorted to asking her to please run.  But all my efforts were in vain.  Each run resulted in this unfortunate act of me dragging Zoe for at least the last half of the run. 

I got some strange looks as I ran leaned forward, pulling this seemingly “energetic” puppy down the road.  I am sure these onlookers had the same assumptions I did: the dog should be pulling the runner.   

As I pulled Zoe through the neighborhoods, 2 Corinthians 6:14 came to mind, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”  Originally, I thought this verse was referring to the relationships believers have with unbelievers that pull them down paths they don’t want to go down.  (Very similar to the image I had of how my run with Zoe would go- her pulling me stressfully down the street as I ran exhausted behind her.)  This may be a part of the verse, but it does not encompass the entire meaning of the verse.  Being yoked with unbelievers may not pull us down paths we want to avoid, but it can pull us back from where we are headed.  (Like what actually happened on my run with Zoe.)

It’s easy to brush off relationships with unbelievers as “harmless.”  But beware that even though you may not follow them down the path of life choices they have made, they can easily pull you back and make your walk with Christ burdened. 

Today I ran without Zoe.  I guess you could say I was burden free.  I was amazed how much easier running was without having an extra 60 pounds lagging behind me, inhibiting my capabilities to run. 

Are you in a relationship that inhibits you? 

“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.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Carefully examine your relationships.  Who are those people most closely attached to you?  Who have you chosen to put on a leash around your waist?  Are they pulling you back?  Are they making the race set out for you difficult?  We are told to cast off what entangles and hinders us.  If your “inner circle,” or those people who you confide in are what hinders you, I challenge you to think about how the race might be if you ran with suitable partners.   

Reading Colossians drinking a grande nonfat caramel mocha.

I run on treadmills.  They are great for knowing exact distances, pacing, and for the comfort of consistent elements.  I never worry about the weather when I am headed to run a few miles on the treadmill.  I never have to guesstimate mileage.  I simply put on running shoes, walk up to the gym, and run mindlessly for half an hour. 

There is nothing wrong with a treadmill run.  And it’s perfect for those busy days where anything longer than 30 minutes is impossible to fit into the schedule of “to-dos.” 

Recently I have been running outside.  We go to a nearby park with running trails that circle tennis courts, a football field, baseball fields, a playground, and a couple sketchy looking bathrooms.  There are big, beautiful trees, squirrels everywhere, people to watch, and trails that are padded with the most wonderful bark-like material that make my knees smile.  I have never enjoyed running so much. 

Time and miles seem to fly by; I sweat much less than I do while running in the balcony of a too-small, too-hot, sweaty, college gym; I get fresh air; I feel like I actually ran SOMEWHERE; and I get to have uplifting conversations with my good running buddies.  I actually get to put to use all the miles I’ve put in up in that smelly gym with less than pleasant scenery. 

There is a certain “realness” that comes with running outdoors.  There is something about these runs that is on a totally different level than any treadmill run I’ve ever been on. 

I still run on treadmills and they are great for practicing pacing, form, interval, and inclines to a preciseness possibly unattainable while running around a park.  But there is still no comparison to the tree-filled freshness of an outside run.

I read my Bible and find enjoyment, encouragement, and conviction.  I love when God brings me to the passage I needed most on a challenging day.  I love when a pastor gives a message that speaks directly to my heart.  But if I choose to read my Bible in the morning, or listen to a sermon and just store it away in my mental cabinet of “good things to remember,” I never get the “realness” of living the life we are called to as sons and daughters of Christ.

We are called to live lives driven by our faith.  It needs to be a real and constant force that compels our actions, thoughts, and motivations.  In essence, our lives should be like a trail run.  Soak in the goodness of all God has created and put in your life, put into use all that you have learned about God, and be real.  Our Christian walk is supposed to bring us joy (however, we all know we run into times of trial); joy is found in living out the life we are created to live.  Don’t let your walk with Christ be stifled to the 20 minutes it takes you to read through Colossians as you drink your grande nonfat caramel mocha in the morning. 

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Matthew 7:24

Like treadmill running, those times in the Word are great.  They help train us up as Christians in this world, and bring us closer to God.  But now it’s time to take all that training out into the real world.  Live out your faith.  Let Christ be present in your daily living.  There is no way running in the park would’ve been possible (much less enjoyable) for me if I was out of shape; Christian living would not be possible without creating a firm foundation in my relationship with Christ.

Treadmill runs and park runs go hand in hand for me.  One has helped bring me to the point where I can pace myself, run consistent mileage, and be confident that yes-I can run.  The other has helped me find true enjoyment and fulfillment in my training.  Find fulfillment in your faith- live it out.