December 11, 2008

Read Psalm 37

Our steps are made firm by the Lord.—Psalm 37:23

I’ve been running regularly for the past two months. It’s not very far, and I certainly don’t move very fast. Before the Glendale Firehouse run a few weeks ago, a friend suggested her son could run with me. Thankfully, Jake decided he didn’t want to run, because I really didn’t want to lose to an 8 year-old.

Some mornings, the last thing I want to do it roll out of bed to go running. It’s cold. It’s dark. I’m tired. I’m sore. I have a busy day at work. The excuses are endless. Ultimately, I get up, lace up the shoes and head for a run.

The first few days were miserable. Ten minutes were enough to leave me stumbling home. And then it was fifteen minutes. Even running—well, jogging --- a few hills were put in for good measure. In the end, I like the exercise, the challenge, and time for reflection.

On a daily basis, life gives us a variety of challenges. Work, family, and health are but a few of the things that make us want to quit whatever we are doing. At times, we feel like quitting, going home and climbing into bed.

David’s words in Psalm 37 is just one source of reassurance that God not only loves us, but also strengthens our “steps,” holds us in time of need, and even carries us when times are more dire.

Pray: Lord, we all face challenges in our lives; big and small, self-imposed or otherwise. Remind us that our faith in you gives us the strength to face and meet those challenges. Amen.

When he isn’t running the streets in the dark, Jeff lives in Glendale with his wife, Jennifer, his son, Eric, and a baby who had yet to show up at the time of writing.