Why Run?

Mind. Body. Spirit.   Running can embody all of these in one activity.  Running is not just great exercise, it can also relieve stress and help to clear our mind.  Christians who run often use that time to talk to God, to pray as well as experience His beautiful creation.  Running is  an ideal time to share with Him all that we are thankful for.  Going on a run is the perfect time to grow closer to God and listen to what He wants us to hear.

I was asked to write a paragraph about running and spirituality for my church newsletter. Above is that paragraph. I haven't blogged in a while which is surprising since I ran my first marathon and have coached several couch to 5K and 10k groups in the last year. I guess I haven't been inspired to write, but I wanted to share that paragraph.

I think we are all looking for balance in our lives and a way to achieve it. Running is a way to help us achieve that balance of mind, body and spirit. It can help get rid of negative thoughts, free the mind so that we may be open to hearing Gods message, but also for seeing God's world. I have covered a lot of miles in 10 years or running and seeing God's creations and experience his world while running is amazing. So, if you haven't laced up in a while, or are thinking about learning to run (yes, to do it injury free and healthy you need to learn how to do it right!) do it! It can change your life in so many ways!

photo credit to runfortheking.com

To join or not to join? That is the question.

While discussing church with my hubby a couple weeks ago, he asked an unintentionally thought provoking question that I have been brooding over ever since.   I told him I was thinking about joining the church we have been attending for a few months now.   He asked “What will we gain by joining the church versus what we are doing now?”    Initially the things that came to mind were somewhat selfish and I have been trying to answer this question for myself ever since.   

I have been baptized and then confirmed in the Methodist church when I was a pre-teen.    This was a big deal for me.  I remember receiving my first bible from the church after confirmation and I still have it today.    As mentioned in my very first blog post, church was a very important part of my youth.   I was a member of our community Methodist church in every city I lived in until college. 

Our family attends church every Sunday now.   We meet people.  The kids go to Sunday school.  We tithe.   I am also volunteering and helping out with some of the children’s activities for the church and day school.   So what IS the difference?     I got some answers this past Sunday as Pastor Jim preached about the gifts and talents that God gave us and sharing them with the church community.   I read somewhere that the decision to join a church means choosing to move from a consumer (how does this benefit me) to a contributor (what can I do to benefit the church).    Not joining is the easy choice.   Becoming a member means accountability, and having some accountability in our lives is supposed to be a good thing, right?

Joining a church is not like joining a social group, country club, or gym.   It is a profession of your faith and commitment to serve the church and serve God.   This seems like a BIG deal, but we commit to so many things in our lives.   We commit to being faithful in our marriage, we commit to raising our children and providing a loving and nurturing home for them.  We commit to our jobs by doing what is required of us every work day.  Committing to your church home is much the same.  

Church is for believers but I think it is also a place for those of us still searching for answers.   We all have something to offer no matter how small it may seem.   It could be something as small as upkeep of the church grounds or assisting the elderly to their seats on Sunday morning.  This coming Sunday, I will be handing out candy to children in the community at Trunk or Treat.  Such a small thing, really.  Giving of yourself and your gift is not without reward.    Don’t we all feel good when we help others in some way?   

Church can provide a sense of belonging and of community and family.     You make it what you want it to be in your life and so I think that is why I am taking this question and decision so seriously.    If everyone attending church were casual goers and not doers, would there be a church on the hill that I can walk to on Sunday mornings?  

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. – 1 Peter 4:10

My Journey Back to Christ

I grew up attending church.   In fact, as a child and young teenager, I loved church and youth group and felt a strong connection to God.   I prayed regularly.   

High School, college and my twenties I thought differently.  I guess science made more logical sense to me.   I tried to analyze how a God, a man could have created the world, the solar system and every living creature in it.  That is just not reasonable, right?    I was not so closed minded to think that there was a possibility of a higher power out there, just didn’t see the realism in that belief.    Hubby and I, with our friends used to hike a lot.  6 to 8 mile hikes were not unusual for us.    I would stand on top of a mountain and take in the view and feel such reward that I climbed that far to see such beauty.     I did find myself wondering how all this beauty and majesty got here.

Everything changed when I was in my mid to late 30s.   After many years of marriage and thinking we did not want children, we decided to start a family. 

Pregnancy is an amazing experience.  So many “miracles” are involved.  Being older and getting pregnant right away (twice) was a miracle all on its own.   Then there is childbirth.    There are some many  things that can go wrong for 9 months (and when you are over 35, boy do the doctors make you feel like you have one foot in the grave on your own) and then holding a healthy baby for this first time is both amazing and spiritual.    Reminds me of that George Strait song “I Saw God Today”.    If you haven’t heard it, listen/watch here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q06AvQF5NOw.

Sometimes we have to throw our hearts and minds to the wind.    I now think, how could science be solely responsible for all the beauty and life in this world?  

So, we started going to church.   For hubby and I, this is the first time we have gone regularly (at all really) in almost 20 years of marriage.    Initially for me, it was for the kids.   I wanted Elizabeth and John to have a church home and to learn about Christ and then one day they can make the decision for themselves.   Not giving them this opportunity seemed unfair.    I realized I enjoy church.   I always did when I went as a kid.  I enjoy the bible verses and I enjoy the messages of Dr Savage and Dr Phares.   I enjoy the sense of community it provides and opportunities to help others.     I enjoy that sense of belonging.

I have a long way to go in figuring this all out.    I have only just begun this journey.