You’d Better Be Running

There’s an old quote that has made its way around the world, and I first came across it in Christopher McDougall’s book about the Tarahumara ultra marathon beasts, Born To Run.  In fact, this quote is on our new challenge coin / award that will be distributed at this year’s 3rd annual Roar Run in Las Cruces, NM on October 31st!   

It goes, “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion, or it will be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle—when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

Isn’t that awesome!  It’s a reminder that every single day, you and I have a choice.

 Will we get up and move toward Christ, or stay in the shade, out of the game, and drift away from Him?  Will we choose faith or fear? Hope or discouragement? Obedience or comfort?

The Christian life isn’t lived out by standing still. It’s lived by putting one foot in front of the other…again and again…even when the path is hard.  Some days you’ll feel strong.  Some days you’ll barely have enough strength to take the next step.  That’s okay.  I believe it honors God when we keep moving forward.  My friend signs off every letter, text, and email with the words Ever Onward!  That’s how I want to live.  Taking ground in every area of my life, especially in my faith!

Sometimes it won’t feel like we’re making any progress. The finish line may seem impossibly far away. We may even wonder if all our effort is accomplishing anything at all.  Let’s keep moving.  Every step of obedience gives God something to work with. Every act of faith is another opportunity for Him to strengthen us, show up and show out on our behalf, and remind us that He is running by our side!

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – Philippians 3:13-14

Lions, when the sun comes up tomorrow,

Get up…

Pray.

Trust.

Love.

Serve.

Forgive.

Take the next step.

Act!  

Just get moving!  

And watch what God can do with that offering of faith and dedication, consistency and grit!

You’d better be running!