Running, really?

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV)

I hate running!  In fact I claim an old, rather dry joke that there are only 2 places to run....to the bathroom and the dinner table.  So every time I read this verse, I giggle to myself "couldn't it have been football?"  No, "it had to be running."  Now that being said, I do at least 1 5k a year, and would like to do at least 1/month.  Strange, huh?!?  Well, first confession, I speed walk them.  That's hard enough on my knees.  Even at that they swell to watermelons the next day.  And I do run sporadically sometimes within there.  Part of me would like to run.  I even tried to couch to 5K to help prepare my body.  But instead of me striking a blow to my body, it strikes one to me.  Each time I tried, my asthma went absolutely haywire, putting me out of commission for weeks, one time even months.  

But I never stop trying nor do I give up.  I still sign up for those 5Ks and I do them with my 9 year old son who has several medical issues.  We speed walk (and even that is a challenge for him at times) and we talk.  If we do it with others, we converse as we go.  If we're alone, we pray for those running around us.  And we take our time and always finish.  I think there's a lesson in that too.

Perseverance.  I mean, I could easily stop and just give up.  I could run, but never finish.  I could stop entering completely.  But I don't.  Just like in life, I keep trying.  There are obstacles that get in my way, they may even slow me down, but we work out how to get around them.  My strict training is in His word.  I wish reading the bible would help tighten my abs, but it does tighten my faith which is more important.  <Insert children's song from a talent my girls listened to endlessly growing up>

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

My body is a temple and Jesus lives within it.

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

I want that temple to be tight and toned and chiseled and radiant.  But the choices of my past and the challenges of my present, physically make that not a possibility right now,  but is that what God wants?  Is He looking for finely chiseled and tightly toned?  Or is He more concerned with my heart?  I feel He wants a home that is genuine.  One that has that lived in feel that He can put up His feet and stay awhile.  My temple can be a hot mess at times (much like my house), but there is always a welcome mat at the door.  I may not run the fastest, but always with heart and prayer.  And I never give up, nor do I run aimlessly.  I run with purpose.  His purpose.  To walk in His name and be a blessing and servant to His people.  Do I always succeed?  No, but I never stop trying.  And oh the blessings it bring me!