4 Benefits of Running For God

“Run for God is a 12 week Bible study that parallels faith and endurance.” Mitchell Hollis, Founder (and runner) of Run For God

“…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1

Although I could think of dozens of benefits of Run For God, these 4 resonated.

1- Leadership.

The Run For God leadership set the tone and the motivation for the training and the race.   They made themselves available to run at different times during the week and focused on serving, teaching, and praying. Not to mention dozens of details. In addition, not only does our pastor support our Recreation Ministry and even ran the 5K well, but he created an environment where there is freedom to fail and to try new things. They all consistently point up ↑.

…Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, Matthew 20:26

2- Faith.

Running For God takes the focus off you and puts it on Christ.  Some team mates experienced painful injuries. Some could not continue to run.  Some ran anyway.  Some experienced personal loss and death in their families.  One sweet lady had recent back surgery and just walked.  Focusing on God gave us a bigger reason to run.  He was the catalyst for attempting, enduring, and finishing strong.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Run For God brings together your faith; mentally, physically, and spiritually.

One week we nailed our fears onto a cross.  What a beautiful image of the cross full of colorful ‘post it note fears’ we all laid down.

3- Relationships.

Running set a time apart to be with my daughter and made us a team in a way we have never been.  From the car time talks on the way to the park to the camaraderie after completing each milestone.  It is something special we both share and will always remember.  We never really know how much time we have left; she will be a high school freshman in the fall.  I want to embrace this moment for all it’s worth.

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t want to miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone  Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Cinderella”

 

We also experienced new friendships.  So many amazing Godly men and women I want to be more like.

4-  Encouragement.

The encouragement is like no other 5K I have experienced.  From the devotions, new friendships, and encouraging facebook posts, we looked forward to the next challenge every week.  I remember running in the snow at the beginning of training, wondering if we would be able to go the whole 5 minutes, mentally repeating scripture verses.

And the exhilaration when we ran the entire 3.1 miles, without stopping.

During the race, teens and children made encouragement signs that were strategically placed at intervals throughout the course.  Volunteers gave out water, neighbors came out on tractors to wave, and everyone cheered.

Encouragement inspired a team mentality.  I saw husbands and wives running together; grandmothers, grandfathers and even great grandmothers running.  Families ran together; old and young, 3 generations.  Those who struggle with weight ran.  Moms pushed strollers. And little kids came alongside their parents and ran.  One teenager, Abby, came out most every week and rolled with us.

Whoever heard of a 5K like that?  It was set apart and even weird.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“We have been set apart as holy because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do by sacrificing his body once and for all.”  Hebrews 10:10

Did I mention I love my church?

Tips for beginning running:

• Run with other people when you can.  It is always easier knowing you have to meet at a certain time rather than letting laundry, lists, or laziness interfere.
• Keep toenails cut short.
• Get good shoes and use them only for running.
• Set your own pace, run your own race.
• Pay attention to your posture; tight core, lean in, and breath.
• Stretch.
• Hydrate.
• Memorize scriptures to breathe when you think you can’t go on.
• Pay attention to where you are running and take in the sunsets, flowers, and other examples of God’s glory.
• Pray!

If you are interested in doing this with your church click on Run For God for more information.