WHEN IT’S 28 DEGREES OUTSIDE your front door it is difficult to think about putting on the old running gear. The winter months are more given to sitting inside by the woodstove and curling up with a good book, or better yet, just curling up.
Running in the winter takes extra effort. It takes more self-talk to get going, it takes more determination, it takes wearing more clothes, it takes longer to get the blood pumping and the legs warmed up. Sometimes I have to wonder if it is worth all the extra effort. But all I need do is to step on the bathroom scale, or take a look in the mirror, and I realize I need to be out there running. And of course each day I delay a run my endurance lessens and my speed slows. Thus, it’s out into the cold shadows I head.
Running is a great mirror of the life of the follower of Jesus Christ. When we find ourselves in a “winter time” in our lives it’s difficult to run as we should. When our hearts and spirits are cold, it is difficult to get our spiritual muscles warmed up. We would rather pull the blanket up a little higher and hide from the winter chill. Believe me I understand the feelings, but I also know that the longer I remain curled up, hidden away, the more detrimental it is to my spiritual health. My endurance lessens and my speed slows.
I have learned that in order to maintain health, both physical and spiritual, I must workout, even when the elements around me would drive me to barricade myself inside the warmth and safety of my home. I have also learned that once I have forced myself to put on the layers of running attire and head out the door, it’s not too long before I get warm-up from the inside out.
Maybe you’re experiencing a “winter-chill” in your spirit; I would recommend taking the effort to get back in the race. It might be as simple as moving forward in the sanctuary this morning, or covenanting with God to pray for a missionary everyday, or joining a weekly Bible study group. But whatever it is, it’s time to get moving.