Doxology and Half-Marathons
I hate to run. Yet I run anyway. Call it dedication, stubborn discipline, or foolish fitness, I can often be found all by my lonesome running the streets of west McKinney around 5:30am . . . and I hate it.
Most of the time.
Running is just part of the required fitness routine, thus it is – at least for me – a necessary evil. Yet, it does have its redeeming qualities in that it is gives me 35-45 minutes to listen to a good sermon, theological interview, or seminary lecture on the trusty iPod. Every once in a while due to a lack of exciting options or just mental exhaustion I will just turn on some music and run. And something funny happens . . .
I usually run better and longer.
A few months ago while at my in-laws house in Weatherford, TX I set out for what was to be yet another run out in the country. After slaving through the first few minutes of a couple of sermons I was about to give up and head back to the house. But wanting to go a another mile or so south I turned on a song called “Doxology” by a good friend named Matt Boswell. To see the lyrics and listen to this song click here.
What I thought would be one mile turned into thirteen miles.
Why? My soul was feasting on the truths of Scripture put to music, and that my friend, is a beautiful place to be. The brilliance and beauty of creation becomes alive before my eyes, the power of the Creator is impressed upon my soul, and the joy found in the Savior overflows from my heart. So powerful are such moments that you can often find me running with hands raised and eyes closed the race set before me.
Friends, this life indeed is a race and it is one that should be run with perseverance, for Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “. . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” To run with endurance is to constantly set our eyes upon Jesus because with His cross in clear view . . .
We usually run better and longer.
