One of my most worshipful moments throughout each week other than in private prayer, the study of God's Word, and fellowship with the body of Christ, has been running on the treadmill. I know what you're thinking, but let me explain. It has been on the treadmill at the gym that I have been ushered into the very presence of God and the wonder of the gospel in a powerful way. At times I have wanted to raise my hands and shout for the victory that is mine, while at other times I have been deeply humbled by God's grace to a sinful rebel like me in Christ and felt myself ready to shed a tear. And no, it wasn't the lack of sleep or the discomfort of running. How, you ask? If you'd rather eat dirt that run, I hope this post helps you see how it can be used to bring you joy in Christ. If you're an avid runner who finds delight in running a 5K everyday, I hope this post encourages you to think on heavenly truths while you run and make the most of your time on the treadmill. Here are nine connections between running and the Christian life that can help you turn the dreaded treadmill into a glorious altar on which you can worship at the feet of our awesome God:
1) Running is goal-minded and requires strenuous effort, which corresponds to the goal-mindedness of the Christian faith and the effort required in perseverance.
Usually when you're running you have a goal; maybe its a target heart-rate or a certain mileage or time. As God's people, we are called to press on toward the goal of Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote of the goal-mindedness of our faith: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self- control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:24-27). As believers, we cannot sit on the proverbial couch eating the potato chips of sin and expect to persevere. John Piper has called the process of sanctification "holy sweat" because of how it requires effort, but that effort is ultimately given by God.
2) Running can give you that victorious feeling that can help you meditate on the victory over sin Christ has bought for you through his cross and resurrection.
Heavy breathing, strenuous effort, and being goal-minded all can give one a sense of victory and triumph. You aren't sitting on the couch, you're getting things done! It is helpful for the child of God to consider the victory of the gospel in your life over sin as you experience this victorious feeling while running. As you run, picture the powers of evil defeated by the cry from Calvary, "It is finished!" and the promise that nothing in all the earth can tear us from the love of Christ. Consider the triumph of Paul's words to the church at Colossae: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Col. 2:13-15).
3) Running allows you to empty your mind of all the clutter and fill your mind with the rich truth of God's grace to you in Christ.
Some people don't like running because they say its boring. I would agree that if I don't have music to listen to while running, I'd be bored too. When I forget my headphones on the treadmill, these meditations are much more difficult. Whats glorious about running is that we tend not to think about what ails us while we run, since we're using our bodies so intensely. It doesn't require much brain activity to run, just as we (hopefully not you) make fun of people by saying they can't chew gum and walk at the same time. I say, why listen to yourself breathing when you can fill your mind with the gospel through rich, gospel truth in Christian music? My workout playlist is full of upbeat Christian music that joyfully proclaims the gospel over me as I run. On my list now are songs by Sovereign Grace Music, Chris August, Matt Maher, Jeremy Camp, Phil Wickham, Laura Story, and others. If it weren't for the music, I'd probably not enjoy running. The music isn't necessary to see the connections between running and the faith, but it is a helpful tool that makes these connections more vibrant.
4) Running reminds you of your dependence on God to provide strength to endure.
You don't always feel invincible when you hop on the treadmill or stationary bike; in fact, most of the time its more work than fun, but even on those days when its harder than normal, you can be reminded of the importance to remain dependent on God for strength. Culture applauds independence, but Christ calls us to a life of desperate dependence on him, for he knows that we can do nothing apart from him.
5) Running teaches you to be more focused on the long-haul, rather than the short-term.
If you're running a 5K or a marathon, common sense tells you that exerting 90% of your energy in the first few minutes will lead to a crash later on and you won't make it to your goal. Similarly, in our walk with Christ, God calls us to persevere to the end and part of perseverance means having a steady pace of godly living and gospel dependence. Also, we can be encouraged in focusing on the long-haul of sanctification because it is okay if we lose a few battles along the way, for the outcome of the war has already been decided by Christ's victory. Many professing believers live with shame and hopelessness because they feel that have the false assumption that their salvation is on the line if they sinned in some way against God. We are called to press on in our faith because Christ is holding us firmly in his hands, not because he is threatening to condemn us if we don't.
6) Running demands sure footing and good placement, which corresponds to the need for believers to walk circumspectly in their faith.
A good runner knows how to land their feet well. The difference between good placement and bad placement can mean the difference between a healthy run and a serious injury. The road of the Christian faith is full of potholes and detours, so we must be sure we don't get caught being lazy in all areas of our lives, from the words we use to the way we spend our time. Paul charges the church at Ephesus, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise" (Eph. 5:15).
7) Running requires looking straight ahead and not backward, just as believers must forget what lies behind and press on toward the prize.
Paul told the church at Philippi: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14-14). A runner who looks back can lose the race because of it. Jesus said it this way: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Lk. 9:62). Going back to your life of sin will only be walking away from the truly satisfied life found only in Christ.
8) Running builds physical health, just as living for Christ builds our spiritual health.
The more you run, the more you can run. If you train yourself correctly you can build up your leg muscles and stamina, so that a marathon is doable. They say after six weeks of regular exercise, results can be seen, and it is then that the pressing on is well worth it. The Apostle Paul knew what he was saying when he said, "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Tim. 4:8). Regular time in private prayer, the study of God's Word, and holy living will bring about glorious results and a much stronger communion with your Heavenly Father.
9) Running relieves stress and tension, and believers are to regularly cast their burdens on the Lord.
God's people are never called to an existence untouched by the stress and strain of unbelievers, but they are called to constantly cast their burdens on the Lord. Psalm 55:22 states, "Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved." And I'm sure we all know Philippians 4:6-7, which reads, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, present your requests to the Lord, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." and Peter reminds us to "cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7).
I hope each of these nine connections I've drawn between running and the Christian life help you find joy in the mundane and often dreaded work of physical exercise.
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