I Am a Runner

“Come, follow me,”Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17-18 (NIV)

I am a runner. A few months ago, I downloaded an app to my phone called Couch25K. It leads you through the steps to be able to run a 5K race in nine weeks. Each session, scheduled for three times a week, gradually increases the amount of time you walk, then, run. Alternating walking with running, the intervals get longer as your stamina increases.

I am a runner. I have an expensive pair of running shoes. I went to a local athletic store and had my gait analyzed. They said I needed a “neutrally” balanced shoe. They showed me several within that category and though none were a color I liked, they sold me a pair lined with orthotics to give me better arch support and a pair of $10 socks designed to keep my feet cool and dry.

I am a runner. I hired a personal trainer to teach me stretching exercises to keep from getting shin splits. She gave me a list of things to do not only on the day that I run, but in the days in between.

I am a runner. I marked on my calendar a date in December of a 5K race to benefit arthritis research. I am recruiting friends to join me and am excited because the race organizers promise that they will give me jingle bells to attach to my shoes.

I am a runner. I have a beautiful pair of maroon sweat pants and a white cool-dry running shirt. I have a band for my hair and an armband for my I Phone with the running app on it

Now, let’s be honest. I am not a runner. I haven’t worn my new clothes or shoes. I haven’t done the stretches or listened to the app. I am a pretend runner. Someone who just likes to talk about it, but doesn’t actually run.

I am a lot like the grapples I bought at the grocery store. They were supposed to be apples that tasted like a grape. After I got them home, I realized that they were apples that have been injected with grape flavoring. Neither apples nor grapes, grapples are not only icky tasting, but they are fake. Like me as a runner.

Right now, I am a fan of running. I like thinking about it. I like to imagine that I am a runner. But, one of these days, I need to actually run because I am not a runner until I run.

Neither am I a follower of Christ until I follow. I can say I am a follower of Christ. I can have the Bible and attend Bible Study and church. I can listen to Christian radio and read Christian books. I can wear a cross necklace and have a bumper sticker on my car. I can even go on mission trips. But if I do not seek direction from Him every moment of the day and then, obey and go and do what He tells me to do, I am just a fan. Obedience determines if I am a follower. What are you? Are you just wearing the shoes or are you running with Christ?

I Am a Runner

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply