Just Do It

Just Do It

Let’s face it—sometimes we just don’t feel like running. And our lack of motivation might not be just physical. We could be dealing with a relational conflict, financial stress, or demands at work, or every hour of the week could suddenly seem filled with appointments and obligations.

At other times, threatening weather conditions could cause us to pause as we consider heading out for a run. We know the pain and frustration of running in severe cold or hot temps or through rain or heavy humidity.

In all these situations, one of the easiest responses is to skip the run that day . . . or week. We may be able to get away with missing a workout for a day if our schedule includes daily jaunts. But if we run every other day and miss one, we end up with three days between runs. Even worse, we can develop the habit of finding excuses for not running and soon lose our routine.

Paul knew that the believers in the city of Colosse were in danger of losing their spiritual motivation. Being identified with Christ in that culture could bring alienation and persecution. Believers needed courage to press on, to consistently practice their faith. So Paul encouraged these men and women and prayed for them, that they would have “endurance and patience”:

We have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. (Colossians 1:9-12)

The Runner

“Spiritual disciplines”—she had heard that expression several times and had decided to see what it meant. So she picked up a recommended book and dug in. Soon she felt convicted about her lack of certain internal spiritual practices and decided she needed to schedule daily prayer and Bible study and regular times of silence and solitude. The best time of day seemed to be the evening, just after she put the kids to bed. So she found a quiet place in the house and put her Bible, notebook, and devotional resources on the table.

The first couple of days went well. She had no problem winding down from the day and spending quality time with God. Occasionally the times would be interrupted by a phone call she felt she had to take. And every now and then she would finish some housework, reasoning that if she didn’t do it then, it wouldn’t get done. Those breaks in the schedule meant that her focused time with God became more sporadic than regular. Then, when a couple of her favorite TV shows aired in that time slot, she dropped the practice altogether.

The Race

Our “runner” had allowed small issues to crowd out her spiritual practice, the insignificant to replace the important. She needed a dose of “endurance and patience,” the courage to “just do it!” regardless of pressing issues or swirling circumstances.

Excuse making comes easy, especially when it means avoiding a difficult or demanding task. We can always find a “reason” not to run, and in the case of spiritual disciplines, we also have the devil whispering the excuses: “You’re too tired.” “You deserve a break.” “Do it tomorrow.” “You’ve done enough for this week.” “You can pray as you fall asleep.”

Once we give in and break our routine, we abandon our positive habit and develop the new habit of making excuses.

The Result

You know what happens when you haven’t run in a while—you get out of shape. In fact, before long you can feel sluggish and may even begin to add a few unwanted pounds. To stay in shape spiritually, we need regular “workouts” where we exercise our faith and nourish our souls. You have a plan and you’ve built a routine—make no excuses.

“My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Just do it!

My Story

“Mary, lift those knees up! . . . Don’t look down; look up and all around you. . . . Pick your feet up. I can hear you shuffling.”

Ugh . . . these are just some of the things my coach reminds me to do every time we’re out running. Some things you need to know about my coach: He’s faster than me; he’s an athletic nut; he’s my best friend; he’s my husband. His motto: Running cures everything.

“Just run,” he says.

“I have a cold.”

“No problem. Running will cure you.”

“I have a headache.”

“You will feel better after a quick run.”

And you know what? He’s right, because after a “quick run” you’ll have other aches and pains that take your mind off of the original ailment!

Another of my husband’s mottos: No man, woman, or dog gets left behind. Yes, dog. We run with our two dogs. I trail behind all three . . . because I’m the poop patrol.

One other motto that my husband believes: You can do it. In rain, in sleet, in freezing temperatures, and in ninety-degree heat. Put your mind to it, and just do it.

All of my husband’s mottos are examples of God in my life: Just pray!—God is always listening. Just run!—he will cure everything that ails you. No one gets left behind!—God will never leave you, no matter what. Lastly, just do it!—live your life fully relying on God because he has a plan for each and every one of us.

Mary

Think It Through

1. What types of issues and interruptions often tempt you to suspend your running routine? What helps you keep to your schedule?

2. What challenges did you have to overcome to establish your spiritual routines?

3. Which of these spiritual practices are you most likely to rationalize skipping: worship, service, Bible study, prayer, silence and solitude, evangelism? What excuses do you use?

4. What can you do to be more disciplined in your pursuit of knowing God’s will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding (Colossians 1:9)?

On Running

How should I eat?

Your eating proportions may be different from other runners. Your calorie intake should be in this proportion: 55–60 percent from carbohydrates, 25–30 percent from fat (one-third from saturated fat), and the remainder from protein. One way to figure out the amount of protein is to have 1–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. And of course, always find ways to drink plenty of fluids.