Running.

Raised in Christian home. Always "doing the right thing". Learning every day from Scripture--saying, acting, reminding--Walking the Walk. It's been imprinted in the heart--the core of the "Christian kid". It hasn't Saved us, but it's been the foundation for our faith, this making of Christ the all and everything--a personal, one on one Relationship. Not just something mom and dad want. A true surrender to the God of the world. The One and Only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When I was young He was my passion. I was learning and growing--in body and mind. I've always had a zeal for Truth, deeply felt my sin, and became readily convicted. My Bible was my best friend--my parents demi-gods. Sound familiar? Growing is eye-opening; now in my 20's I know that, wait, dad, mom--they are human too. They sin. That's why we sometimes squabble, or I've harbored angry thoughts. Why there is sometimes confusion, hurt. My parents aren't perfect. And I'm beginning to accept this--in a way that draws me closer to them. Yes, it's possible to actually want to obey and surrender. For this strong-willed gal, that's huge. If I can do it, you certainly can.

Running. So we've grown up in Christian homes. We've "always done the right thing". We know everything there is to know (or so we think). Quiet time, church, speaking His Name, singing praises, praying before meals, tossing flippant "Praise the Lords", here and there--are all common practices. And sometimes, though we're doing "things just so" (aka, works,)--something is missing. He, Jesus, doesn't always feel close. Or have we "lost" that beautiful, innocent, childlike faith? That passion, that drive--because "well, now we've hit our 20's. We have our own minds, and well, I'm Saved, I know what I believe. . ." Willing to stand at the edge of the world--the cliff that, one wrong move, plunges the tempted into backsliding. "Aw, but that won't happen, because I Pray and Read each morning. . .or, ok, at least once a month". 

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

-Luke 13:24

Running. The Olympics are the talk of facebook--of the world. London is intriguing enough, but then all the pomp, the competition, the thousands of athletes working toward one goal: the gold medal. In church this morning the pastor said something interesting--how many of these celebrated athletes went to church--or worshiped the Lord--today? WE, as Born Again believers, running the race of Faith, are the real gold medalists! 

 

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"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."  -1 Cor. 9:27

My family decided to see a show in Dollywood Tennessee called, "The Gazillion Bubble Show" (sounds horribly corny, I know, but all the rides were closed down due to weather). I was sick all day with a cold--stuffy head, stuffy ears, stuffy nose. . . Lets put it this way; amusement parks are NOT on my list of happy-head-cold places. Nice warm bed and a cup of tea? Exactly. 

Anyhow, as I sat watching the "worlds greatest bubble artist" perform daring feats of bubbledom, I suddenly needed to get out. Strobe lights. . .are overwhelming to stuffy-persons; so I retreated outdoors, into the congested, noisy park. As I moped, a pretty blonde girl approached, asking,
"Are you saving a seat for someone?" 

"No." 

"Oh, good." 

She proceeded to sit beside me, launching into friendly chatter (poor thing probably had a cold for days afterward). To make a long story short, I learned that she was with a ministry evangelism team, had recently gotten Saved, and well, was planning on witnessing to me. {amusing, but that's beside the point}I now know, terrible as it was, WHY that cold plagued my vacation: I was supposed to encourage this new Christian. And in turn, I was more blessed and inspired then I'd been in ages--just what I needed in a "Spiritual dry spot". 

This girls enthusiasm for her Jesus was something I've rarely seen--so much sparkle, warmth, eagerness. Oh, how I long to love Him like that! 

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us RUN the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

-Hebrew 12:1-2

Are you still Running?--or are you stagnant in excuses? Dry because you "know everything the Bible says," and thus tempted to step over the edge? Pray, Read, Sing, Worship. Look to the Mark--and He will show you how to make Him Alive in your soul. That passion is in there, if we only let Him find it. Let us lay aside every weight--step away from that edge. Let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus. 

All photos, unless otherwise specified, are from my Pinterest board, What Makes Life Beautiful.