Run with Perseverance! - Mark

So you've been invited to join us on this journey to Kenya.  You might be asking yourself, "So what are their goals?  What do they hope to accomplish?"  Those are great questions.  I (Mark) think we each have a little different take on how we would answer that question.  For myself, I realize that going on a mission trip to Kenya will benefit me more than my gift of service will benefit the Kenyans. In fact, I kind of feel selfish going on this mission trip.  However, I also know that by going God will change me.  He will help me to see things spiritually as a result of looking at life through the Kenyan perspective.  I'm particularly looking forward to experiencing Kenyan believers and learning how they relate to Jesus.  I also hope to meet a few Kenyan runners and learning some tips on training from them.

That brings me to the connection between my physical training to run a marathon and the spiritual training we must all go through to become strong in Christ.  I will start with Hebrews 12:1.  "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."

Wow, all those Saints from Hebrews 11 are cheering us on.  Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and Elijah are telling me, "Go, Mark, you can do it.  You can serve.  You can witness.  You can love.  You can suffer....."

Wait a second.  I don't know about that suffering thing.  I'll have to think about that.

It brings to mind how I felt at about mile 18 in the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 6th.  I was gassed.  I was running at a pace that would result in my slowest marathon.  While my physical suffering was nothing compared to the suffering mentioned in Hebrews 11, it was still testing me physically.  The temperature had gotten up to about 80 degrees, and the bright sun seemed to make it even hotter.  However, God's Spirit was with me, and I decided it was time to have fun; cheer the crowd that was cheering me.  Slap the little kids' hands that were waiting on the side of the road.  Run through every sprinkler being offered by folks in the Highland Park neighborhood.  Changing my focus from myself to others created within me a great joy, and while I still finished at a slow pace, I felt a great sense of fulfillment as I met my family at the finish line.

So now I have to look carefully at how I can improve for the Harrisburg Marathon in November.  What do I need to "throw off"?  How can I persevere in my training to run a more excellent race?  Also, I need to look more carefully at what I need to throw off to grow closer to Jesus and see my spiritual muscles increase as well.  In my next post I will be sharing a little more about that.

Prayer Request:  That I may show the love that Christ has poured into my heart with everyone who comes into my life throughout the day, particularly to those that are grouchy and demanding.