Day 26 | Sabrina’s story

Reflection

Sabrina loves running. When five o’clock hits, she’s itching to get out the door for some fresh air. And God delights to see her take pleasure in exercise because it’s a good gift from him.

‘That’s great,' I hear some of you say. ‘But I’m not a runner.’

Well, Sabrina would say – you're not a runner yet. Because she hasn’t always loved running. When she was at school, she wasn’t the sporty type. But everything changed when she needed a bit of headspace at a difficult time in her life. At first, it was a quick run to the beach and back, and before long she was racking up 50km plus per week.

For Sabrina, running is not just a personal pastime – a way to fill her evenings and weekends – it’s a way to worship the Lord.

As her heart pumps blood around her body, Sabrina's reminded that every breath is a gift from God; she runs and lives in his strength. And that extends to her other daily activities, too. Because Jesus is sovereign over every sphere of her life – her job in marketing, telephone catchups with friends, visits to the hospital, and everything in between.

She uses her runs to bring these situations to God in prayer. She asks for opportunities to show and share the love of Jesus with all those she's encountered or will encounter the following day, be that supernatural patience when she collects yet another incomplete prescription from the pharmacy or refraining from gossip when chatting with her friends. In other words, Sabrina prays that the way she speaks and acts will be life-giving, pointing others to Jesus Christ, the giver of life.

So, every time you become conscious of your breath today – whether that’s mid-run or not – pause and praise God, the giver of life. And ask him to place relationships or situations on your heart where you can be a life-giving presence.

Father God, thank you for the gift of life – for every breath and for eternal life in Jesus Christ. Please help me to be a life-giving presence to all those I encounter today. Amen.