Running Lite – Devotional for Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I have had a nagging knee problem for several weeks now and I haven’t been as quick as I normally am. (I had trouble saying that with a straight face.)  I don’t, for example, “run into” the grocery store. Instead I plan my shopping to minimize walking. The knee gets better each day, but still I find that resting it is a good thing.

We are running a spiritual race and it’s a good thing not to be hampered by nagging injuries or by carrying excess weights. You know what I mean, those things that are “lawful” but really don’t help us move any faster. We are all attracted to things which, although in themselves are fine, tend to take away our time and focus from the things we need to be concentrating on. Perhaps a tv show for which we never miss an episode or a “good book” which soaks up our time and attention, these things hinder us in the race.

What about petty jealousies or little irritations that get more of our attention than they deserve? They too slow us down. What about those “pet projects” which are more important to us than to anyone else: a yard that we feel needs to look like the cover of a gardening magazine or a house that can always use another dusting or sweeping.

Sometimes even relationships with those we love become a weight having too much significance or taking too much of our focus and attention. I know many of us tend to err in the other direction, not giving loved ones the time they deserve. But it can be just as much of a problem putting too much into a relationship. It’s a problem if it takes time away from the race, if it slows us down.

Believe me when you can’t move like you used to, even if your full speed isn’t that fast, you miss the freedom of movement. There’s enough to slow us down and distract us, let us set aside the things that can be set aside and 

run with full focus the race before us.

Run like the wind, even if your wind is a gentle breeze and be blessed.

Nick