Running With Endurance
Over the holiday I ran in the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon. It was 15 years ago that I ran my last half marathon, and though I’d trained for the few months leading up to the race, it became clear as I ran that I wasn’t 100% prepared for the entirety of the race. Physically, I knew I could run 13.1 miles, and mentally I was mostly prepared, but at mile 7 I began to feel more tired than I’d expected. My energy tank was getting low.
Thankfully, just before mile 8, I came to a water station that also had a table piled high with honey energy gels. Over the next mile of the race, I slowly consumed the 1 ounce gel, packed with carbohydrates. As I did, I was reminded just how essential energy is for endurance. I’m not sure if the small pack of vanilla flavored honey was the difference between finishing or not finishing the race (I did finish, by the way), but it sure seemed as though it helped.
The Bible describes our Christian life as a race, and exhorts us to run well, with endurance. To do so, we need supernatural stores of energy. I’m convinced that one of those essential stores is the sweet honey of God’s word.
King David of Israel reveals how important God’s word is, when he writes the following in Psalm 19:
Thankfully, just before mile 8, I came to a water station that also had a table piled high with honey energy gels. Over the next mile of the race, I slowly consumed the 1 ounce gel, packed with carbohydrates. As I did, I was reminded just how essential energy is for endurance. I’m not sure if the small pack of vanilla flavored honey was the difference between finishing or not finishing the race (I did finish, by the way), but it sure seemed as though it helped.
The Bible describes our Christian life as a race, and exhorts us to run well, with endurance. To do so, we need supernatural stores of energy. I’m convinced that one of those essential stores is the sweet honey of God’s word.
King David of Israel reveals how important God’s word is, when he writes the following in Psalm 19:
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
– Psalm 19:7-11
You have a race to run today. Make sure you’re well prepared to run with endurance, by consuming a well balanced diet of God’s Word. I’m certain that you’ll be glad you did.
