Running the Rose of Sharon
Saturday, January 28th, I “Ran the Rose” in Tyler State Park. This was the first trail run that I have ever done. There were nearly 500 people there, and I really had a good time. There were several lengths available to run: 7k, 11 miles, 22 miles, 54k (33+ miles), and 108k (66+ miles). I chose the eleven-mile run: one “loop” around the park. I ran it in 2:13:41 hours. 153 other runners ran the eleven-mile loop with me. 113 people ran the 7k; 190 ran the 22 miler; 59 ran the 54k; 24 ran a whopping 108k. Running long distances like this burns a lot of calories. (I burned nearly 2000.) For this reason, there are aid stations with things to eat and drink along the route. It is very important that long-distance runners have proper nutrition.
Christianity is a long-distance run. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” This a long-distance run, and for it we need proper nutrition. What is the spiritual food that we need? It is Jesus Himself. “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:57). Jesus is the bread and water of life. We must feed on Him to have spiritual life. We learn about Jesus through Bible study. Resolve to put more of Jesus in your life this year by studying the Bible more!
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley