I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- 2 Timothy 4:7
I started running cross country in middle school thanks to the encouragement of one of my teachers. It was difficult and painful and exhausting, but I loved it. Once you get past the pain, you start to feel that “runner’s high,” and feel light on your feet for near half an hour after you’ve finished your run.
In high school I didn’t have time to join the cross country or track teams, but I still kept up with running all the way through my early twenties. Running 5-6 miles a day was a great and healthy way to destress, find some quiet time to myself, as well as build my endurance.
Not that I didn’t invite my friends to join me. I distinctly remember two friends and their wildly different responses to my invitation. One joined me regularly, and we grew closer as we trained together. The other…well, let’s just say that she didn’t like exercising. To the point of getting angry at me for even suggesting it.
She did, eventually, start exercising after getting engaged. She wanted that perfect wedding and the perfect body to go with it. I remember watching as she would slather vaseline over her stomach and wrap it with saran wrap before heading to the gym in sweatpants and sweatshirt. 0/10 wouldn’t recommend.
But you know what? She looked gorgeous on her wedding day.
I think exercising your faith can be similar. Some people learn and grow best under the encouragement of a leader/mentor. Others need someone to come alongside them, a friend who walks or jogs - or runs - along with them. And still others need a visible and tangible end goal in order to take their health - physical and mental and spiritual - seriously. It can be difficult and painful and exhausting, but you know what? The end result is so worth it. And the more often you exercise that faith, the more endurance you build and the healthier you will be.
Which type of person do you think you are? What do you need to help you fight the good fight, to finish the race?
How can we help one another keep the faith?
