On Dec. 4 I will run in the White Rock Marathon in Dallas. Once a week, I will provide my observations on the connection between the spiritual life and training to run a marathon. Please visit my White Rock fundraising page to honor my daughter and contribute to a great cause.
As I prepare for a marathon, I struggle with my motivations. It is hard not to be self-absorbed when you are training for a marathon. I don’t like talking about myself, normally, but I find that I am constantly talking about running and the marathon with my wife and others. I keep asking myself, “Is this all about me?” “Am I making this sacrifice to draw attention to myself?” Sure, I make myself feel better by raising some money for a good charity and to draw attention to my daughter but I am the one doing the hours and hours of training and I am the one who will receive the participant’s shirt and the completion medal. So, is it all about me?
I don’t want it to be. In fact, I think this whole experience will change me for the better. And if you have been reading this blog long enough you know that I am all about growth and change. Today, I read about having an inward focus on God and living well and beautifully by placing myself under the reign of Jesus Christ. This is where I want my focus to be; not on myself and my accomplishments but on God. There is nothing wrong with achieving something as hard as a marathon but I would rather do it because of the power and strength given to me by God. I want it to be about Him and not me. I want to run with God through this race.
Pushing forty crisis? My need for control? Need for attention and praise? Display of manhood?
I don’t know what initially sparked my desire to run a marathon but I know now that I will not complete it because of my shoes or my training or my innate physical ability. I will complete it because God desires for me to complete it and he has something in store for me in the process.
Grow Up Blog 