Running and Making It Count

Today was amazing. I ran 4 miles outside. It was another beautiful sunny day, 42 degrees. I didn't have a moment of mental dead space! There was so much on my mind and so much to pray about. Before I knew it, the run was over. I felt good and even now a couple hours later, I feel good. It seems like my recent changes in diet and taking it easy are paying off. But we'll have to see how I do at longer distances. For now though, I'll keep doing what I'm doing without pushing myself too hard. I gave my new shoes another chance, but are taking them back tomorrow.

As for my thoughts and prayers for today's running time - it was a "God-thing."

This is why I love to run! Sometimes the nearness of God seems to be all over me. I get caught up in a wave of the Spirit's leading in prayer, I practically forget I am running! There is such a focus, a meditation on the things of God, a yearning for Him. Yes, I'm running - but it's running after Him! I just want Him, more of Him, all of Him. And as I'm running to Him, I am running from something else. I'm running and it becomes an analogy of running not only towards God, but also of running away or fleeing from the things that would encumber me, keep me from Him, or hold me back from complete surrender.

How I want my life to count. Even my running. Do I just want it to be gain in the physical alone? No, I truly do not want that. So I must discipline myself to pray, to think of God and express worship with every step I take.

As I ran today, I experienced something I never have before. It was out of the ordinary. I did not plan on doing this. But found myself compelled by the Spirit to do this. It was birthed out of reflecting on another death I recently became aware of. This death happened to a brother who just weeks ago accepted Christ into his life. He began coming to church. I heard him tell my husband that when he comes to church, he hears God speaking to him through the sermons he gives. Just about a week ago, this man's wife accepted Christ during a church service. They had one week together as new creatures in Christ, then the Lord took him.

This man didn't have much time to give God glory in his new life in Christ. Only weeks. But in his death, he'll have much opportunity to give God glory. My husband will be doing the funeral service and it will be filled with many who have never met Christ. As I ran thinking on these things, I began praying for those I knew who would probably be there. I was praying for the lost. I was asking God to call them out of darkness. "Call them out of darkness, Lord." I prayed this a few times and then sensed the Holy Spirit's presence upon me. The Lord made it clear to me that He wanted me to shout these names out loud as I ran. It was as if He said to me, "You call or shout these names out to Me!" And so I did. I ran shouting at the top of my lungs, name after name - those who may go to the funeral and others I know who are in darkness. It was crazy! But I also know it was obedience.

Today, my physical run counted for eternity. I believe that with all my heart. Lost souls were shouted up to the heavens for God's hand to snatch them out of darkness. And without a doubt, He heard these prayers loud and clear.

No man knows the length of his days on this earth. But I do know, I want whatever number of days I have on this earth to count. To count for Christ. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)