Just over two years ago I moved to another country and began working some pretty crazy hours. I knew I needed an ~outlet~ something to get my mind off of work and being away from family and friends and do something healthy for myself (since I knew my eating habits were going to go straight out the window).
I had a friend encourage me to start running. I laughed. Certainly this person did not know me. I hadn't -run- since high school when I played basketball (don't laugh) and I barely did that. But I thought, why not, if I don't like it I don't have to keep doing it.
Oh man! I don't even know how to describe it.
Two and a half years later I am hooked. I LOVE running, well, maybe it's a love/hate relationship but I do love it. Here's an example of my love/hate relationship with running. A few weeks ago I was super busy at work and didn't run for about 10 days.
Just be thankful you didn't run into me during that time frame. I was not a pleasant person to be around. I was SO thankful to have a break from running but I was SO ready to get back to it because I know how it affects my attitude.
Why is that? A friend of mine blogged about this very subject just yesterday here
The love part of this relationship is two-fold. First, I love how it makes me feel. A sense of accomplishment, it's calming, it's actually relaxing and it's a way to help me stay healthy.
But secondly, and most important, is how running allows me some amazing quality time with Jesus. You see, when I run, I don't listen to heavy metal gym music. I don't even listen to soft metal. My time running is spent 100% of the time listening to praise music. Some of my very favorite music when I run come from Kari Jobe, Selah, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me, Anthem Lights and a few others.
I put my iPhone on shuffle and let God give me the music I need. This week has been rough for a variety of reasons and today, many of the songs pointed to the cross. Coincidence? I don't think so.
For the 2nd time this week "It is Well With my Soul" was the last song in my workout. But the song that ministered to me the most today is from Chris Tomlin:
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing Grace
My chains are gone, I've been set free. I don't know if you can cry when you are sweating like a pig, but if you can, I am positive there were a few extra sweat tears today. Because of God's mercy and grace, I am set free! FREE! I am no longer bound. Satan can't taunt me anymore with my sin. I'm set free! The past 8 months I have not been free. I have been bound by my chains but no more.
What do you need to be set free from? Are you claiming that? Are you're chains gone? If not, what is stopping you be rid of them?
I'm praying for you friends! I know what it is like to be bound by those chains. Satan really likes to tighten them too but he has no authority. You are God's child and you no longer have to be bound to your chains. And if you don't know for certain you are God's child, and want to be sure, contact me here Be certain! And if it works for you, use your run time to meet with Jesus.
I love meeting Jesus on the treadmill.
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