Running in the Rain

You probably see them too when you drive to work. They are running or walking with both arms flapping or riding a bike... they are trying to get/stay in shape physically. Because there is basically one way to get to the church from my home, I see the same people day after day. If I leave earlier than 7:15 AM, I see one group. If I am driving between 7:15-7:30, I see another group.

But this morning, it was raining. And the streets and sidewalks were vacant. Except for one woman.

I see her EVERY morning. She doesn't jog. She runs. And because of the kind of road she runs on, it is not a short run. And again, this morning, there she was. Running in the pouring rain. As I passed her, my mind thought:

Wow... I should be doing some running. That's what I always think as I drive by the exercisers. I think about it until the desire to exercise is drowned by a sip of coffee.

But then my thoughts moved to something more serious: WHY? When everyone else was enjoying the extra sleep or time in front of the morning edition of SportsCenter, she went out and ran.

I came up with several answers she might give:

PRIORITIES: "The joy I get from running and exercise are more important than getting wet."

HABIT: "This is what I do every morning, so why should it change because of the rain."

THE FUTURE: "I will be healthier as I get older if I take care of my body right now."

And then being a preacher, I thought about my own priorities of Bible study, prayer, sharing my faith, loving my wife, pastoring my church.

I thought of habits of purity and discipleship that I need to maintain.

I thought of my future ministry and service. I am now 56 years old. If I retire at 65, I have 9 years left of active pastoral ministry. I want to do today what will keep me spiritual healthy not just for the next 9 years but for the rest of my life.

I think I'll go running.

Proverbs 20:4: The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. (KJV)