When I was still young, my friends used to tell me that I was really sporty. But it never in fact appealed to me that way. For me joining any sport or outdoor activity was just pure fun. Hence, it never truly occurred to me that when I grow up I'll invest time over a certain sport. Not until my eldest sister influenced me in joining a running race. From then on, I joined a running group to educate myself further in the field of running. I started meeting wonderful people and even gained good friends. I was also running daily that it became part of my weekly routine. I targeted races every month and got good personal records (PRs as what we call it in running)in different kilometers. I even ran my first half marathon (21km) before 2009 ended and finished my first full marathon (42km) this September 2010. However, as I continued to run I often ask myself this question
"WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF RUNNING?" Well aside from the obvious reasons that I have expanded my networks of friends, lots of memorable moments, the discipline I learned during my trainings and in achieving my targets, I still seek a deeper meaning of this sport. I strongly believe that there is more into it.
True enough, when you seek you will find. During our service in church this morning, our senior pastor Joey Bonifacio shared this Bible verse in 2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." At that moment, the Lord revealed to me the answer to my lingering question. It was so awesome to understand how God associates the sport of running to being a christian in faith and living your life for God. I have discovered through God's grace that He led me to this sport and supported me all the way so I may fully understand at the right time that I can also apply the discipline I've learned from running to my christian faith. If I have endured the trainings, running long distances and finishing strong in every race, I can do the same with my christian life. Moreover, I don't have to pay for my registration fee like in participating a race but instead I already got a FREE registration from God through Jesus Christ. Based on John 19:30 "..Jesus said 'it is finished'." He paid the debts of my sin so I can join the exciting race of life, finish it strong and gain the award that awaits me (2 Timothy 4:8
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.")
