Run for your life!

      If you know me at all, you know I hate running.  It may have something to do with the fact that my Jr High PE teacher thought I was faking an asthma attack to get out of running the mile.  Or the time when I,  unbeknownst to me, was slowly being poisoned by carbon monoxide while I slept at night so when I'd get up to run in the morning my lips would turn blue and I'd feel funky.  Or it could be that all my friends are stud runners who always made it look so simple and easy and (*GASP*) fun, when running has never been those things for me.  At any rate, I hate it.  I've told many a folk that if they ever saw me running it would be because I was running for my life.
     Well, about a month ago, I was sharing my disdain for running with my friend Jen, who also happens to be a personal trainer.  Needless to say, it wasn't long before we were out on the trail going for a jog.  And by George if I didn't run over 2 miles without stopping and without dying!  It was incredible!  I hated every minute of it, but I did it! 
     Last night I set out on the same path determined I could do it again.  This time without Jen there as motivation.  I started out strong, smiling and waving at the passersby and enjoying the momma and baby deer that were playing in the trees along the path; but, the newness quickly wore off and I realized I was running.  And I hated it.   So I told myself to just go to the end of the path, then I could stop and walk.  Well, as I started getting closer to the end of the path I began talking to myself.  "Why are you doing this again?  You hate running.  And it's getting dark.  And no one even knows you're out here on this wooded path.  You're never going to make it the whole 2 miles, you haven't run in 3 weeks!  Just stop, just walk.  No one will know, no one will care. It will be easier that way."  Suddenly I realized what I was thinking and how ridiculous and crazy it all was.  Especially when I knew it wasn't the truth.  So I reminded myself that I've been on this trail before and I most certainly could run the full 2 miles.  I knew I could because I had done it before.  And so I continued on.  And every time those negative thoughts began to flood my mind I reminded myself of the truth.  And this continued until I had made the full loop.  I had run over two miles!  Without stopping!  And I didn't die!  And I wasn't running for my life! 
     Or was I???  .....You see the bible talks over and over again about sin and how destructive it is.  We are told to "throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2.   And 2 Timothy 2:22 says  "flee youthful passion and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace." So how do we do that?  God tells us in his word.  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  Renewing my mind.  Sounds familiar.
     As I was running I was able to identify lies and thought patterns that were destructive in my life in more ways than just running.  And I was able to counter those lies with the truth.  My circumstance did not change.  I didn't miraculous grow a huge passion for running, or decide to continue on for an additional 2miles just because I couldn't get enough of it, but I did finish the course.  And I realized what a huge role our minds play in our transformation.  More importantly, I realized that there is something to be hated more than running.  Sin. 
     Oh God may I continue to run for my life.  May I continue to run from sin to You.  And may my eyes be opened to thought patterns and lies that threaten to stop me in my tracks.  May I be transformed by the renewing of my mind to be made like You.  For Your name and for Your glory. 
Amen.