One of the things I love about running is that it’s Biblical. The Bible uses it as a theme throughout scripture… a theme for Christian discipline, for perseverance, for never giving up, and for finding strength in Christ when we have none left for ourselves. The Bible makes it clear that our faith should not be a sprint, but a marathon. These are some of the verses that I will be quoting as I run on Sunday:
Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
Proverbs 4:11-12
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Philippians 2:16
As you hold out the word of life–in order that I may not boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
And finally… for the verses that explain why I run. And the reason why I live my life the way I do. You might call it my “life verses.” I even have part of it engraved on my iPod, so I can remember it when I’m ready to give up.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race that all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.