Running

Reflections on the Journey
If the journey involves walking, why doesn’t running get any air time in the Scripture? The fact is, running serves an important function in societies prior to mechanical mobility. Escape from danger might have involved running. Catching prey during a hunt required a speed for the hunter. Jogging or sprinting was a part of warfare as when a messenger is sent to deliver the word that victory was achieved or running toward the battle lines. The Apostle Paul refers to running the race that is before us and gives instruction to do so with patience. One exception is Jesus’ story of the prodigal son who, when he returned home, his father ran to meet his wayward son. This undignified action on the part of the father demonstrated his eagerness to restore the offspring.

Running in today’s culture usually involves an effort to get in shape in preparation for a race or other competitive athletic event. Running implies urgency to a situation rather than a journey toward a destination. The journey of life may require sprinting from time to time, but the danger of pressing forward with speed involves the difficulty of maintaining the pace and as a result, eventually failing to attain the end goal.

In today’s culture, we often find ourselves scurrying around to get someplace on time. We feel the pressure of getting more done in less time and scheduling events back to back. I have found that hurrying seldom produces the results I desire. Poor quality of work, half thought through solutions, and accidents often result from the dashing to and fro without proper preparation. To be sure, speed is critical at certain points in life, but running should not be the norm, but the exception.

Navigating the journey successfully may require a slower pace at times rather than a faster pace. Take time to smell the roses. Do you find the pace difficult at times and feel inadequate for being frustrated with the demands? What do you think? How can we help ourselves and the people in our sphere of relationships to slow down long enough to enjoy the journey and not just have success in life? Success does not consist of the things we possess. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”