A Spiritual Lesson in Walking and Running

All of us have something to give. Are you making excuses because of what you don’t have? Or are you living in gratitude of all you do have?

We are now on day 40/365 in 2022 and in an attempt to improve on my goals for the year I woke up and went running. Full disclosure, it’s only my 3rd run of the year! I’ve been a bit lazy so far.

Although it’s warmer than usual for mid-February, I went to an indoor running place. The local sports dome welcomes the public is to use the facility as a walking loop in bad weather. So off I went. 

I started my run and noticed all of the people walking there today were older people. Though it felt amazing to run in warm temperatures and dry ground, I struggled to keep a good pace, simply because I haven’t been consistent with running lately. As I triumphantly finished my last lap, I felt my calves burning and silently looked forward to the day when this would feel easy again. Amazing how adaptable our bodies with consistent effort (and equally how quickly one can lose their level of fitness!).

After a cool down, some stretching, and water, I left the dome. As I reached the parking lot I noticed a man walking with a limp. He actually wasn’t the only walker that was limping. I began to think of what a challenge and commitment it was for this man to simply get out and go for a walk. This made me feel a bit guilty for feeling tired and sore from my short run. Here I am, a healthy young person with no physical problems to worry about, and I’ve been barely getting out to move, run, and stay fit. I definitely take my health and stamina for granted. 

What a gift it is to be healthy and active now, to have life now. And what a gift it is to walk without pain. One day that could be any one of us; struggling to walk with a limp. As I observed what I had just seen, feelings of immense gratitude came over me.

That’s when this verse came to my mind: 

“…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48b)

We have been given so much. If you have your health and youth right now, you have a gift. It’s a reminder to use this season of your life to serve the LORD, serve in your church, or serve your neighbor. And even if you are older or you are facing physical challenges, you still have life and something to give. Every one of us has something to give. Regardless of all the things we don’t have (which can be easy to focus on) it’s what we DO have that counts.

We all have a certain amount of time, talents/skills, and financial resources. As Christians we will give an account of how we used these limited resources. And I do mean LIMITED. If we only knew how limited these would truly be, I guarantee every one of us would make some changes. 

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12