April 24th 2010 I ran in my first half marathon, which also means I ran farther that day than I have ever run in my life. It was an incredible experience - one of those things where I sincerely doubted my intelligence level for committing money to this kind of torture, nearly talked myself out of participating multiple times, dreaded fiercely up until race day and now having finished, count it as one of life’s greatest moments so far.
I complied with all the appropriate pre-race rituals. I stuck with the training schedule (mostly!), carb loaded and drank more water than I thought was humanly possible. Race day came, I woke up around 3:30 am to eat breakfast, catch a shuttle, meet up with a girlfriend who was also running and begin the torture I was sure to unfold. 6:45 am came pretty quickly and it was time for my coral (#13) to start the race. I remember my prayer at that moment, “God, I’m needing for you to show up with a miracle here!”
Little did I know the journey I began in that race was far more spiritual than physical. It didn’t take me long to get completely swept away in the enthusiasm of an event as huge as the Country Music Marathon - Over 33,000 runners plus thousands of volunteers and spectators. Honestly, I was very much baffled by the excitement and over the top optimism just pouring out of everyone involved. Initially, I was drawn to a race of this magnitude because I missed the thrill of competition, yet I experienced ‘competition’ in a way I had never before seen. Everyone was fighting for their best time, yet also wholeheartedly rooting for the success of the person running next to them. Strangers were yelling and cheering at the top of their lungs, especially to the many runners who were wearing shirts stating their reason for running. Things like cancer survivor, “26 miles on my 26th birthday”, “On my way to loosing 150 lbs”, etc.
As I took in this whole scene, it dawned on me that this would be a perfect picture of what community should be. We are all on this same journey, headed to the same finish line. We are all struggling, hurting and trying to stay strong, but held up by the encouragement and support of those running with us. Not all the runners bought into the same training schedule, nutrition regimen or running strategy, however, they are all giving everything they have to get across that finish line.
What would our church look like if it resembled a picture like this?
What if we lived so much in community with each other that we all took down our guard and lived freely in our imperfection; we can “wear” our imperfections on our shirts- liar, cheater, worrier, drunk - and know that my brothers and sisters are right beside me cheering for my success!
What if we were so passionate about God and the way He is moving in our lives that we can’t help but have our conversations centered on Him in stead of gossip, current events, weekend happenings, media, etc?
What if we were so intentionally dedicated to our “race” that we are doing everything we can to prepare – Loading up on the Word, immersing ourselves around people that build us up and developing spiritual disciplines that make us stronger.
What if there was no judgment between us but complete pride that we all simply showed up! We are all out there giving it all we have at whatever “speed” we can.
What if we allowed ourselves to reach so far out of our comfort zone that the only hope we have is for God to show up with a miracle?
What if we were doing things so crazy that thousands of people not only stopped to take notice, but then wanted to join in!*
I finished the race. My time was not impressive – 2:38. The amazing part was that after all 13.1 miles, never once did I loose my wind and this I consider my own personal miracle, as my extremely limited training did NOT lend itself to such results. (We won’t talk about how badly my legs, knees and ankles hurt!) I’m not typically a very emotional person, but when I crossed the finish line my eyes welled up with tears. I can’t explain the feeling I had – overwhelming accomplishment, I suppose. Makes me wonder how much better it will be to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have completed the race!”
*Borrowed from an awesome devotional written by Tammy Farris – while my ideas are more from a runners view point, hers are from a spectator’s stance and it’s VERY good!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Here we go...
The last several weeks have been eye opening for me in ways I can only partially understand at this point, but will continue to grow from and appreciate as the mile markers of my life continue to pass.
Many monumental events have occurred in my life recently, and with these events come change. One of these big changes consists of my uprooting from life in Nashville, TN and replanting in Dallas, TX. The first step in this process begins tomorrow.
Starting fresh in a new city with new people and new opportunities exhilarates me while simultaneously causing a constant swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I have never been one to set Resolutions per se, but in a strange way I feel this is my “New Years” and an opportunity to evaluate my life and gauge where I stand versus where I want to be. As I think about this, I can’t help but reflect on one of Donald Miller’s latest books, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”. He opens his book with this:
"If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you wouldn’t cry at the end when he drove off the lot, testing the windshield wipers. You wouldn’t tell your friends you saw a beautiful movie or go home and put a record on to think about the story you’d seen. The truth is, you wouldn’t remember that movie a week later, except you’d feel robbed and want your money back. Nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo.
But we spend years actually living those stories, and expect our lives to feel meaningful. The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won’t make a story meaningful, it won’t make a life meaningful either."
I am, here in my empty apartment, committing to live a life that will accumulate to a story that I am proud of. For goodness sake, we only get one of them! Donald says it well (and consequently one of my favorite quotes from his book)…
"We have to get up off the couch and turn the television off, we have to blow up the inner-tubes and head to the river. We have to write the poem and deliver it in person. We have to pull the car off the road and hike to the top of the hill. We have to put on our suits, we have to dance at weddings."
It has been two and a half weeks since I walked across a stage in front of a lot of people, wearing a bulky gown and ridiculous hat (really Рwho came up with those anyway!?!) and received an absurdly expensive piece of paper. It was a great time! Family was in town. Tests were done. Pressure was off. It is sincerely insane to me that 4 years have flown by so quickly (clich̩, I know, but so very true). I have really loved my time here, learned from many amazing people and leaving will be nothing short of difficult. One of said amazing people suggested a while back I journal through this life transition, and coupled with my horrible ability to stay in touch with people I figured I should give blogging a try! I ask for prayers, love and patience (especially while reading my less than eloquent blog) as I learn and grow and fail and succeed.
Dallas here I come….
Many monumental events have occurred in my life recently, and with these events come change. One of these big changes consists of my uprooting from life in Nashville, TN and replanting in Dallas, TX. The first step in this process begins tomorrow.
Starting fresh in a new city with new people and new opportunities exhilarates me while simultaneously causing a constant swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I have never been one to set Resolutions per se, but in a strange way I feel this is my “New Years” and an opportunity to evaluate my life and gauge where I stand versus where I want to be. As I think about this, I can’t help but reflect on one of Donald Miller’s latest books, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”. He opens his book with this:
"If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you wouldn’t cry at the end when he drove off the lot, testing the windshield wipers. You wouldn’t tell your friends you saw a beautiful movie or go home and put a record on to think about the story you’d seen. The truth is, you wouldn’t remember that movie a week later, except you’d feel robbed and want your money back. Nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo.
But we spend years actually living those stories, and expect our lives to feel meaningful. The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won’t make a story meaningful, it won’t make a life meaningful either."
I am, here in my empty apartment, committing to live a life that will accumulate to a story that I am proud of. For goodness sake, we only get one of them! Donald says it well (and consequently one of my favorite quotes from his book)…
"We have to get up off the couch and turn the television off, we have to blow up the inner-tubes and head to the river. We have to write the poem and deliver it in person. We have to pull the car off the road and hike to the top of the hill. We have to put on our suits, we have to dance at weddings."
It has been two and a half weeks since I walked across a stage in front of a lot of people, wearing a bulky gown and ridiculous hat (really Рwho came up with those anyway!?!) and received an absurdly expensive piece of paper. It was a great time! Family was in town. Tests were done. Pressure was off. It is sincerely insane to me that 4 years have flown by so quickly (clich̩, I know, but so very true). I have really loved my time here, learned from many amazing people and leaving will be nothing short of difficult. One of said amazing people suggested a while back I journal through this life transition, and coupled with my horrible ability to stay in touch with people I figured I should give blogging a try! I ask for prayers, love and patience (especially while reading my less than eloquent blog) as I learn and grow and fail and succeed.
Dallas here I come….
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