Waylon, Why Do You Run?

Waylon, why do you run? Sometimes, I have to admit, I wonder myself. After all, I don’t like running. I only like having run.

Also, “RUN” usually is the wrong word to describe what I do. “JOG” would probably describe it better.

At any rate, I do run and I do work out on a weight bench with free weights. Let me tell you (in no particular order) why I do what I do.

I try to get some form of exercise every day because I want to live as long as I can in as healthy state as I can. My former colleague years ago said that he wanted to live until he died. I thought that was a fairly good goal for life. The exercise gurus usually say that every hour of exercise adds an hour to the end of your life. If you add healthy days to the end of your life, you have really received a wonderful blessing. A few years ago, I heard that one of your goals (certainly not the goal but a significant goal) should be to live long and die fast.

I also run because I truly understand that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God’s temple in Jerusalem was magnificent in its beauty and splendor. While my body will never be described with those adjectives, I do want to take care of the body that God has given me. Stewardship refers to much more than money.

As I tell my girls, I run so that I can take care of Martha in our old age. Martha’s mother lived to 91. She didn’t have many health problems until the very last months. While my girls give me a curious look when I tell them this, I really do run so that I can live to take care of Martha. I tell the girls that I am trying to protect them. I don’t want them to take of their mother. I want to do that. Martha and I have been married a long time. We like it very much.

A friend of mine challenged me nicely over a cup of coffee. Here’s what he said: “I have heard you talk about your father and grandfather dying young and the possibility that you will do the same. I don’t want to hurt you, but I want you to quit talking about that and start talking about living a long and happy life.” I took him up on it. I am doing my best to do just that.

Several years ago at Easter I noted that God called me to preach on Easter Sunday night forty years before. During that time our church was going through some hard decisions that were tough and demanding. Martha asked me: “are you glad that He did?” I had to think about it for a while, but I am really happy that God called me to preach. I wish that others could feel the excitement (and terror) that I feel right before I preach (even before the fourth sermon!). I want to preach as long and as well as possible. Running helps keep me mentally as well as physically sharp.

I run because God really does have a plan for our lives. He wants us to serve and honor Him. I love the quote by the great missionary Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire) who said: “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” I love the words of Paul even better: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). And, “whatever you do, whether in work or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

 

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6 Responses

  1. What a great offering! AMEN.

    Another area where I am pleased to find where we are likeminded in: Thought, Word and Deed.

    Blessings

  2. I didn’t get to know 2 of my grandparents because they died before I was born & another died when I was very young. I want to stay healthy so my grandchildren will have loving memories of me to pass on to their grandchildren. I know your grands will have wonderful stories to tell of the times they spend with Doc & Honey. Thank you for leading us at FBC & for your dedication to our Lord.

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