Running as a Sacrament

With a title like the one I've given to this post, my Christian friends may fear for my spiritual welfare! They shouldn't worry though.  I do not actually consider running to be a sacrament (i.e. a holy ordinance instituted by Christ...) - however, if I wasn't committed to Christ, I would be very keen on the idea of embracing a religion/spiritual practice which included running as a sacrament.  Even while maintaining my commitment to Christ I still see the act of running to mirror the life of a Christ-follower (Christian) in several ways.

Running is meditative.  Sure, I can run while listening to a podcast or to music, but all by itself, running, especially when there is not the commotion of traffic hazards, promotes a meditative spirit in me.  My thoughts go to those places where they hadn't gone previously in the day.  My heart rate is raised, but not due to mental or emotional stress, but rather to pleasant exertion.  I feel alive, vigorous, yet relaxed. It is a great time for a prolonged prayer.

Running involves a beginning and an end.  It involves a purpose and a reward.  Indeed, the Scripture often using running as an illustration for the "race" a Christian must run - their life.  We are instructed to run as if to win the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-28; also Philippians 3:14).  Without going into a Bible study-like depth on the matter, suffice to say that we are exhorted to run (i.e. live) well and to have the prize (i.e. ultimate goal/aim) in mind as we live.  When I go out on a run, my run mirrors the larger "race."  The day-to-day reward of my runs my be an endorphin-high, stress-relief, a beer and a nice meal.  A more long-tern reward is good health, high fitness, and perhaps placing in or winning a race.  These things are good.  They are earthly blessings of God.  A total Atheist can enjoy these things.  The Christian however, can enjoy the deeper and more multi-layered meaning of the run.

Running involves pain and perseverance.  This could have been included in the last paragraph because it is indeed part of "the race" - but I chose to separate it.  The pain is part of the Christian life - sometimes because of rejection/persecution, and sometimes more severe as in torture.  Pick up a copy of Voice of The Martyrs  magazine if you want true and current accounts and images of pain and persecution.  We Americans who get so bothered when someone posts something anti-Christian on Facebook or when someone spurns or ridicules your evangelistic attempts should really put things in perspective.   Running, and especially being a successful runner, involves a dedication to perseverance and a humble acceptation of pain.

Running involves pleasure.  This pleasure somehow comes with the pain.  Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish the two!  The same holds true in the Christian life.  I am highly blessed with health, safety, and freedom - yet I sometimes feel somewhat impoverished when I read true accounts of my spiritual forefathers who at various times in history have attested to the pleasure and sweetness of Christ - even while enduring horrible torture!  May it be that I could be such a man.  Through running, I can experience, via the senses, a picture of such sweetness.

As much as I love running, I admit that it can be a stumbling block and a weakness.  I have to constantly remind myself that even without legs, and even if I were never to be able to be on my feet again, I still can, need, and am commanded to run the race.