Photo from Unsplash
In April this year I did something I have never done before… I took part in a Park Run. My daughter, who participates regularly in this event was staying for the weekend and suggested that I go with her to a park about ten miles away where a Park Run was taking place. The arrangement was that she would run as usual while I would take the dog for a walk round the park and observe the proceedings with a view to taking part myself another week.
The thought of visiting somewhere different appealed to me, so I happily went with her on the Saturday, with Poppy the dog in tow. Poppy enjoyed the new smells and I enjoyed strolling around the park, which was a beautiful open space set surprisingly in the middle of an industrial estate.
I had been aware for a while that I needed to take more exercise and increase my level of fitness so I thought I would go the following week and sign up! There was a sense of excitement at trying something new and taking positive steps to improve my general health and sense of wellbeing. Aware that it would be quite easy to lose confidence and change my mind, I asked a friend if she would come with me. To my delight she agreed and we set off together the next Saturday, I wearing a track suit and trainers and my friend wearing jeans and a winter coat! As we parked the car and walked up to the starting area I experienced a feeling of nervousness mixed with excitement as I realised how committed many of the other participants were, dressed in serious sports attire and doing warm up exercises before the starting whistle blew.
I signed up, my friend explained that she was just coming to support me on this one occasion, we joined the runners lined up to start, and soon we were off.
The Run, or in our case the Walk, was a good and stimulating experience and certainly stretched us both. Afterwards we visited the cafe and enjoyed a well-earned coffee and toasted teacake. On the way home we reflected on how there were a number of aspects of our Park Run experience which had parallels to our Christian journey and walk with Jesus:
Take the first step
It was necessary to make the decision to take that initial step and get up on a Saturday morning, drive to the event and get started. It would have been easy to have put it off till the next week, or the next, or the one after that…
The idea to try this had initially come from my daughter Hannah, and I responded. Likewise, with the Christian message; If you have been told of God’s love for you and been introduced to the gospel message, or felt a prompt to respond to God’s call on your life, and to take that initial step of believing and accepting Jesus as your Saviour then I urge you not to put it off or wait till you feel like it or have more time. Do it today and trust Him to help, support and guide you on the journey.
There is support
One of the things that I found incredibly encouraging was the support given, both by other participants and the Park Run marshals. At intervals around the route there were friendly marshals who would give a smile, a wave and a word of encouragement… ‘You’re doing great… keep going… well done!’ For a first-timer like me it was reassuring to find that people were watching out for me and noticing my efforts, not comparing me to other, faster people. How much more will God encourage us as we walk this journey of faith. He will give us help if we ask him.
‘Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need ‘ (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)
Support came from two main sources; firstly, from the person who started us off, who gave clear instructions, explaining the route and how many laps were needed to complete the course. Secondly, from those doing the run with me. Watching others in their determination spurred me on to keep going myself. In particular I remember an elderly man with a stick and had obvious difficulty in walking, who was moving doggedly, persisting with his mission, despite his impediments. My friend who walked with me was an encouragement simply because she was there walking with me, chatting along the way. On other occasions I would walk with someone who had the same pace as myself and we would find out a bit about each other, sharing about our families, dogs, work and travels. This would often give me something to think about, a different way of looking at things, new ideas. things to try. I reflected that this is similar in our Christian walk; we need the fellowship and companionship of others to encourage us. God gave us each other. He never meant us to go it alone. We need to seek out and stay in relationship with fellow believers encouraging and praying for one another. A close spiritual friend and prayer partner is a wonderful gift and I have some very close and dear friends with whom I have shared and prayed over many years.
At the rear were two lovely ladies known as the Tail Walkers, whose job was to ensure everyone who wanted to complete the Run was able to do so and would not get left behind. There was no pressure to complete it in a set amount of time. Each person could take the time they needed. Our heavenly Father also supports us in our journey, walking behind us to give protection and encouragement and allowing us to go at our individual pace according to our needs.
For the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12b NIV)
The Tailwalkers from time to time would warn us of potential dangers or hindrances…’ watch out for the low hanging branch ahead… the path is slippery just here, so go carefully… runners coming up on your right…’Likewise, God has given us the Holy Spirit to warn and advise us of things which might cause us to slip or stumble, or which might cause us harm. Let us heed the warnings. He wants us to keep going and complete the course!
Persevere!
Although the option is there to drop out, the intention should be to complete the race.
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. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… (Hebrews 12: 1-2a NIV)
There will always be times when we get tired, discouraged and distracted, but it is at such times of difficulty that we need to ask others to pray for us and give us their support. in our Christian race we must keep our eyes on Jesus, spending time with Him in prayer and through the Bible. He will provide help and strength along the way. This may sometimes include stopping to rest.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)
Get rid of hindrances
The serious runners wore proper gear in the Park Run. I do not have much in the way of sports gear but I do have trainers and a track suit. After a couple of weeks my trainers were beginning to hurt and rub my feet so I found a different pair which were more comfortable.
What hindrances do we try to put up with in our Christian race which inhibit us? It might be worries, fears, lack of commitment, bad habits, persistent sins, unhelpful relationships or insufficient spiritual nourishment and support. If you can identify with any of these- and we all have something which keeps rearing its head to trip us up-I would encourage you to seek help from a spiritual leader or close Christian friend.
Aim for the finish line
When, after the three circuits of the park, we staggered up to the finish line amidst shouts of ‘Well done…you did it!’ and applause, the relief was huge! We achieved great satisfaction from having completed the run and achieving the goal.
Imagine how much more wonderful will be the Master’s voice saying ,’Well done, good and faithful servant!’
I want to finish my race and hear Him say that to me. In the Park Run my reward was the satisfaction of achievement plus tea and cake, but the heavenly reward will be something far more amazing which lasts for eternity, and the joy of honouring Jesus, my Saviour and Lord.
Keep going, my friend, and complete the course.
