With a bouncy disposition our guest would bound out the door, into the cold, for an hour long morning run only to show up at the end even happier than before. Disciplined portions of fruits and vegetables only added insult to injury (of my pride).
I determined by the middle of the visit that I was going to get serious about getting back in shape (a different shape than the currently rounded one). I politely declined the invitations to join in my friend's joyful routine knowing full well that, although it is exactly what I need, in my current state the experience would not produce quite the same sort happy feelings.
While weighing bags in preparation for our friend's journey back home, I stepped on to the scale and saw a number that was frighteningly close to double digits past the 200 pound mark (which I have sworn for ages that I would never pass). To ease my conscience I switched the digital scale from pounds to kilos (94) so that the number was less intimidating. Within hours I was able to shed about 5 pounds (in the form of clothing items and some VERY heavy shoes).
As soon as our friend was safely on an airplane to the other side of the planet (Africa) I decided to start. My first "daily morning run" actually only amounted to a brisk walk around our rural neighborhood's mile and a half long circle drive. Even so, the ball was rolling (walking briskly to be more accurate).
Today was the infamous second day...
I donned my body armor (which makes me sound like a valiant knight preparing for battle, but in reality is spandex that keeps my fat legs from chaffing) and some old running shoes.
I was able to start off with a strong pace (at least until the neighbors who were walking their dog were out of view). I ran all the way to the bottom of the hill, setting a pattern I would follow for the rest of my "daily morning run" (running downhill and walking uphill).
The quiet, uninterrupted moments of running are an excellent time to pray (in my case, for grace and mercy). I was praying this morning and as I was nearing the midway point I had a very cool insight (it seemed quite spiritual but that could have been compounded by the almost hallucinogenic effects of not getting enough oxygen).
As I rounded the corner and started heading East I was virtually blinded by the rising morning sun. I was hit by a moment of insight (it was impressive enough to me that this exercise thing might even be repeated tomorrow...).
God, in His glory, shines brighter than the sun. As we orient ourselves directly towards Him, our vision of the dusty road we are traveling on is absorbed in the brilliance of His glory.
As we walk through the shade of things that get between us and God we naturally perceive much more of the dusty road. If we go so far as to turn around and head away from God we can see the details of the road so clearly that we can be tempted to focus so much on the road itself that we forget about what is illuminating it.
Life is like a dusty old road. As we walk down our dusty roads sometimes the rough spots do affect the way that we walk. However, if we focus our attention on the God, the splendor of His glory makes the bumps and irregularities of the road less noticeable.
My advice is: Run your dusty road gloriously (even if you aren't in the shape you wish you were) and set your sights on things above. Everything else is dirt...
Do me a favor, please. Ask me if I ran...
(I need all the help I can get.)
DWB
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.
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