Push on through.
Someone I know caught me at the grocery store and said something to the effect of, “I saw you out running the other day. You didn’t seem to be enjoying yourself very much.” I responded back with something like “That’s just my running face” or something similarly inane. But the comment did get me to thinking. Do I enjoy this? If not, why am I doing it?
Firstly, let me say that most times I do actually enjoy it. Sometimes I can feel stress melting away, I can sense my energy levels rising, I enjoy the company of friends I run with, and I'm not as fat as I used to be. Invariably, I’m always glad afterwards that I did it.
Some days though, it’s plain grueling. Take yesterday for example. After about 8 miles, my knee was throbbing. We ran 17. It was no ‘fun run’, and if you saw me, you probably saw some version of my “runner’s face.” It’s on those days and those runs that my reason for running runs deeper. To me, there is more to it than just my enjoyment. There is great value in setting a goal and struggling to reach it. I set my mind on running a marathon, and I have a ways to go to meet that goal. Lord willing, I will accomplish it. If it was easy, everyone would do it! There is value in the struggle. I have also found that running is a good metaphor for my life because I have to learn to say no to myself sometimes. Sometimes I have to defeat self-defeat. Sometimes I have to keep going when I want to stop. Sometimes I have to make choices with the big picture in mind, even if there is a cost or sacrifice to get there.
I know that I get too easily accustomed to doing just what’s easy, fun, or feels good. In the process, I become weak – not just physically weak, but psychologically, mentally, and even morally weak. If I want to get stronger, get healthier, change my course, or simply find out what’s on the other side of making a tough decision, setting a big goal, keeping a personal commitment, or simply doing what's right when it's hard to do so, I have to learn how to push on through.
Here’s to pushing on through!
Firstly, let me say that most times I do actually enjoy it. Sometimes I can feel stress melting away, I can sense my energy levels rising, I enjoy the company of friends I run with, and I'm not as fat as I used to be. Invariably, I’m always glad afterwards that I did it.
Some days though, it’s plain grueling. Take yesterday for example. After about 8 miles, my knee was throbbing. We ran 17. It was no ‘fun run’, and if you saw me, you probably saw some version of my “runner’s face.” It’s on those days and those runs that my reason for running runs deeper. To me, there is more to it than just my enjoyment. There is great value in setting a goal and struggling to reach it. I set my mind on running a marathon, and I have a ways to go to meet that goal. Lord willing, I will accomplish it. If it was easy, everyone would do it! There is value in the struggle. I have also found that running is a good metaphor for my life because I have to learn to say no to myself sometimes. Sometimes I have to defeat self-defeat. Sometimes I have to keep going when I want to stop. Sometimes I have to make choices with the big picture in mind, even if there is a cost or sacrifice to get there.
I know that I get too easily accustomed to doing just what’s easy, fun, or feels good. In the process, I become weak – not just physically weak, but psychologically, mentally, and even morally weak. If I want to get stronger, get healthier, change my course, or simply find out what’s on the other side of making a tough decision, setting a big goal, keeping a personal commitment, or simply doing what's right when it's hard to do so, I have to learn how to push on through.
Here’s to pushing on through!
… let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
posted by Paul A. Thompson at
8:46 AM
2 Comments:
When I was reading your blog about running I realized that I am in a race of my own... I'm trying to rush through the holidays without really pausing and reflecting on the fact that it will be the second year that I will be trying to be thankful, even though my Dad is no longer in the world. I don't want to have a pity party, as I see so many doing since I've joined facebook, but I merely hope that you will keep me in your prayers this holiday season. God has done so many amazing things in my life since last April when my Dad died, but I am missing him so much and trying so hard to find some place that feels like home to me.... words just fail to express my real sorrow...please just pray for me that God will help me in my unbelief... for I realize that if my faith were stronger, I would be totally joyful, knowing that Dad is no longer suffering, but in the presence of Jesus....Yet, I have this brain that tries to tell me all sorts of things that are contrary to this hope. I can't lose hope....I must keep my faith... I must trust God.... He has a plan!!!
Please pray for me, even though you never met my most wonderful, loving, funny, awesome daddy....Jerry Linkous...."the Missing Link" as he was always called. He was truly larger than life, even though there really is no such thing...I am so blessed to have had such a father...but he is gone and I have a difficult time carrying on. Words are so limiting....Please keep me in your prayers, and I will do the same for you and your family...God has blessed us all!!!!
You ROCK when it comes to teaching so a guy needs a goal that doesn't come easily in order to stay humble, HaHa:)
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