I had to do it. I didn't want to.
My room was warm. The media was calling me. Honestly, I would have been content to stay in bed this morning with a book and hot chocolate, or better yet go back to bed. But I knew I had to get up and run.
I hate physical exercise with a passion, minus a few fun activities such as biking, line dancing, or playing a game or two. Well, that's not completely true. I enjoy its reward and I feel great after I force myself through the torture. I have amazing friends that keep me going and give me support. The problem is actually getting out there in the cold and running.
So I did it (Yay!), and of course now I'm exhausted and filled with new energy. Then it got me thinking about my hardheadedness- why was it so hard to just do it? Why did I put myself through the heated internal struggle every time?
My mind goes back to when I ran earlier this week. Just go out there and do it. Do it for that feeling afterward. Do it and just focus on finishing. Block out everything but the mailbox. (The equivilant of a starting/finishing line for me) Somewhat eagerly I started out. Guess what.
It didn't work.
Frustrated, exhausted, and defeated I came to a breathless halt half way through my course. Reason? It was too far (It really wasn't. That was just my excuse.) and I lost the desire to finish. This was the thought process, no joke. I can't do this anymore! It's like someone's stabbing at my lungs. My legs are jello. I shouldn't have ran in the first place. And I'm hungry now and dinner's not for another two hours. I'm not that fat anyway, so it can't be that bad. I wonder if they have any work-out ideas on Pinterest...
Then came along the God's Divine Instruction Manual to show me where I was wrong. Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
So that's where I was wrong. Man's purpose in life, my purpose in life, is to bring glory to God, not getting anything for myself. My attitude toward running was the problem. The desire to have the prize, to finish and get the glory for ourselves, is very strong. Sometimes, though, it fails and the reason is because I am not focusing on the truth. Just like marshmallows in a toaster, when I don't work for my purpose to glorify God, things get broken and don't work anymore.
So I ran again today, this time focusing not on the finish line or what was in it for me, but instead choosing to focus on running for Him. Needless to say, it worked.
I ran further than I have in years.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.
What about you? What are some things that aren't working in your life right now? What is something that you can't seem to get right? Maybe try focusing on your real purpose in life, to glorify the King, the one that deserves all glory, honor, and power because he made it all. (Disclaimer-I'm not saying that if something's wrong in your life right now, it's because your focus isn't correct. There are many possible reasons, this is just one of them.) Give it a try. Let me know how it goes.
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