ARE YOU A RUNNER?

I will be the first to admit that I am not a runner.  I despise it.  I loathe it.  And if you really want to know how I feel…how much time do you have?  Just kidding, of course.  I don’t despise or loathe it.  Nothing that strong.  I just dislike it a lot.  And it isn’t just because I am old, have broken-down knees and back, and have been ordered by a neurosurgeon in 1993 to never run.   I disliked running long before that.  Now…running in a softball game or on a basketball court was different than running/jogging.  It was exciting.  It was an adrenaline rush to go all out for a base or a dunk.  But running jogging is, to me, like swimming.  One word: BOOOOORING!   I have probably isolated some of my readers at this point.  I know for a fact these two guys here and here run.   In fact, the former has already done a marathon and the latter is preparing for a half mara.  I commend them both.  They may need their head examined, but least they can say it is empty full of life from the endorphins that flood their body.

Okay, let’s get serious for a moment.  As you can see by the banner done by this man,  I am starting a new sermon series based on the book of Jonah called Transformed by Grace.  There is no greater word in the English language (IMHO) than grace.  Not love.  Not mercy.  Not Bill is cool.  NO.  GREATER.  WORD.  For the month of February, I am going to use my year’s theme of Transformed to focus on Grace.  Jonah’s book depicts that word.  Most of us are familiar with the story of Jonah, but if you dig deep and go beyond the whole big fish (truthful) story, there is so much more.   The first chapter deals with him running from God.  Only his running was not on a beach or a track.  It was tried in a boat.

This first chapter of Jonah is case-in-point for “you can run but you can’t hide.”  Although not a “radically sinning non-believer,” i.e no sex, drugs, alcohol, etc, I had to come to the realization (as do all of us), that no matter where I would try to run; no matter how frantically I might try to hide; no  matter how hard I might run; I could not outrun or outmaneuver God.  Everyone must come to that point.  It is then we come to enjoy the truth and fruit of Grace.

Have you ever tried to run from God?  How far did you get before He reached you?  I’d like to hear your story of running.   I would appreciate your prayers for me and the church Sunday. Besides this, I am making a big announcement that will be a game-changer for us.  I will share that with you Monday.  Thanks ahead of time.  Thanks again to Dan for the totally awesome banner.