Running in the New

Today was another gorgeous day outside. It is the very first day of March, a brand new month. It was an early tease of Spring days to come. Yet, I know it will probably get brisky again before Spring is really here. But I'll take these warm Spring-like days over the wind and cold any day, especially when trying to get back into the swing of things.

I kept to my easy 2 1/4 miler course. I felt good in spite of feeling a little on the sore side yesterday. My pace felt like it had a little more of a pick up than what it felt on Monday. But I didn't push too hard. I am still wondering how my body will handle my getting back into the swing of things.

It has been a few hours since I've ran, and I'm certainly not feeling as energized as I usually do after running. But I suppose that is to be expected.

Whenever my runs aren't as vigorous as usual, it seems so much easier to engage my mind in prayer. As I prayed over this, that and the other, and then left them with Jesus, I felt like the inward pounds of care and concern just shed away as I ran. I noticed this as I ran and while running the verse came to my mind that talks about "newness of life." The context of this passage speaks of our baptism into Christ Jesus, our being "buried with Him into death" and then, just as "Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father," it speaks of our resurrection, that "we might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-11)

Whether I am "walking" or "running," I want to experience this "newness of life" that is rightfully mine as a child of God. Today, feeling like I'm having to go back to square one, starting back slowly, coming back from what kind of seems like "the dead," I am reminded that after death for the believer, a glorious resurrection is always on the horizon - a "newness of life." So with that, I am believing for "new" runs to come as I slowly but surely persevere.