As many of you know, I am training to run a marathon on December 5th. During my training runs I have lot’s of time to think and pray. Often these prayers lead to new tracts and ministry ideas. Other times, I observe something around me and then pray about the spiritual implications. Today I’d like to share one of those which stems from the need to “watch out” when I run.
In a natural sense there are two main places where this comes up.
First, I must “watch out” when I run. Of course there are the big things like cars and trucks and crossing streets. There are also the little things like cracks in the sidewalk, uneven pavement or ground, cats, dogs, and other animals. One morning when I left home I stumbled on something. Somehow one of those little fences that goes around a tomato plant was in the middle of the sidewalk. Since it was dark, I did not even see it and thankfully, I just kicked it out of the way without falling.
I’ve noticed more and more that drivers do not pay much attention to runners. In our neighborhood there are a lot of re-entry houses. Cars will often shoot out of the alley without stopping. I’ve gotten used to watching out for them there with caution. I’ve also noticed that when people are turning right out of a side street onto the main street, they will look left to see if cars are coming, but rarely look left to see if there is anyone on the sidewalk. I’ve gotten used to proceeding with caution.
Second, all of these things, especially the driving has made me more aware of runners and bikers when I am driving.
I’ve only run with headphones on a few times. I’ve ruined my iPod and a second mp3 player has just been revived. While listening to music, I’ve had some good times of reflecting on the lyrics and then come home and looked up Bible verses for those songs.
So I spend much of my time running in prayer. Sometimes I’ll take prayer requests. Other times, I just pray for whatever is on my mind.
As I’ve considered the idea of “watch out” something came to mind from a sermon that I’d heard on Ezekiel 33 about the Watchman on the Wall. We as Christians are all called to “watch out” for those that are lost and warn them of the need to repent and believe the Gospel. Consider the words of Ezekiel 33:1-6
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’
A persons salvation is not my responsibility, but warning them is!
As I continued to pray about the idea of watch out Psalm 103:11-12 came to mind:
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Think of this when you pull up to as stop light in your car. Look both ways. To the left and to the right. To the east and to the west. For those who repent and trust Christ, that is how far He has removed you from your sins.
There are many other places in scripture where “watch out” is used. Jesus asked his disciples to “watch and pray”. I encourage you to watch for those who come across your path and share the Gospel with them.
As for the bucket list update… I ran 17 miles on Sunday. There are three more long training runs before running the marathon on December 5th. Thanks for all the support and encouragement!
