Running With Jesus With Prof. Boaz Sample

On the right clothing for a run

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

The central text of our meditation in this Bible Plan is Hebrews 12:1, 2.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1, 2)

Marathon training and running a marathon has so much to do with what one wears for the runs and what one does not wear. 

I have seen marathon runners run with all sorts of clothing, rather heavy clothing. I have seen runners run with inappropriate shoes. 

They just get over-heated and have to give up, sometimes way too early. 

I have seen runners, who have obviously not trained for the marathon. They are carrying too much weight on them. They give up pretty early. 

We eat food which we know is not good for us. Even seasoned marathon runners eat food which they know is not good for them. There is a misconception that marathon runners can eat anything, and they will be OK. Of course, one realizes that it is not OK. Just training for a marathon does not give you the liberty to eat bad stuff. Eating the wrong kind of food makes for a very bad marathon run. 

Our core Hebrews 12 text reminds us to shed all the bad stuff. 

In preparation for the marathon, I went to the running store. They saw my gait while I walked. They saw me run on the treadmill. They measured my foot. Then they recommended the right kind of shoes– lightweight shoes, which provided good support. They recommended the right kind of running t-shirt. This was not my favorite college t-shirt. The right kind of t-shirt does not get heavy in wet weather. It does not soak the sweat. It does not cause chaffing .They recommended the right kind of shorts and socks. I was told to carry the minimum and right amount of running material on me. I was preparing for a marathon. 

I was told to get rid of all the wrong kinds of clothing and the wrong kind of shoes. It would only impede my progress and make it a horrible run experience.

Our Verse of the Day reminds us to wear the right stuff in this life marathon. “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” These are light virtues. If we wear these, it will be an easy run. Other “clothing” like pride, greed, jealousy, lust, gluttony, laziness, etc. are heavy clothing. They only make for a wearisome run. Why wear them? Why keep them? Get rid of them. 

A Prayer:

Oh Lord, for this marathon run called life, please help me always put on the light clothing you give me by your grace. Please help me shed the bad and heavy clothing.