Running

In all honesty, I hate running, ESPECIALLY long distance running.

I mean, just think about it - You run for few excruciating kilometres, tire the heck out of yourself, getting bored out of your wits with the scenery around you (it can't possibly be all that interesting, probably trees, trees and more trees), and by the time you reach the end of line, you practically smell like a dead fish.
So yea, I hate running.

But...

As much as I hate it, I know it's something I MUST do.
I started my training today and man, I felt like an idiot.
By the end of just 15 minutes, my whole body began to shut down.
My legs started to feel heavy, my breathing went all haywire, pain ceased my body all over. Not good.
Then again, I really shouldn't be complaining. I was impeded by my own doing.
Never train, never grow.

While warming myself down after a shameful 15 minutes run, I took some time to do some reflection.
The only way to make long distance running 'slightly' easier is to actually have a purpose in the run.
That's the key ingredient to keep your legs moving and to keep your lungs from failing.
The more passionate you are about your purpose, the greater the driving force.
The greater the drive, the harder you'll train.
Run for a purpose.

That's how the Christian life is, isn't it?
The greater we understand the purpose God has placed in our hearts, the more passionate we become, the more willing we are to go that extra mile, and for some, even to death.
I'm reminded of Jim Elliot, the man who understood God's purpose, moved into it and died for it.
Jim was an all-rounder back in his college days. Believe it or not, he was even the school-champion wrestler! And this is what he had to say about his purpose behind the sport:

"I wrestle solely for the strength and co-ordination of muscle tone that the body receives while working out, with the ultimate end that of presenting a more useful body as a living sacrifice. This God knows, and even though He chose to allow it to be strained,
the motive was for His glory and the faith He honours."
(Jim Elliot)

It moved me to tears when I read this.
Here is a man who championed in wrestling and yet he did so not for personal gain nor for glory but for a greater purpose beyond himself.
Jim Elliot understood his purpose crystal clear, so much so that in every area of his life, he made sure he was training and running towards the right direction.
Jim was running for Him and to Him.

It caused me to re-evaluate the things that I am doing in my life, the purpose behind them all - are they truly Godly driven?
Is my life wholly one that is directed to Him or do I compartmentalize them into different sections, segregating at my own liking?
He knows all things. He knows how broken and imperfect I can be.
I just pray that I will not be distracted by the brokenness but be fixed upon Him.

Let us run for Him and to Him with the ultimate end that of presenting a more useful body as a living sacrifice.

For starters, let's put on the right shoes. :)