Doing, Not Looking

I was running a good race. I was at the mile marker and only needed to stop and walk for a few seconds at a time. I was in a groove. My time for this race would be amazing. Usually, I just try to improve my own personal time. When we started, an older man with a cane went running by me. He was holding the cane as he shuffled by me. I thought well now that’s unique. Why even have a cane if you don’t need it? Then I thought WAIT, HOLD THE PHONE no guy with a cane is running faster than me. Nope! Not happening. So I stayed close and passed him. As we neared the one-mile marker, the older man ran by me again. But this time, he was struggling and scuffing his feet as he ran. He ran a little further and fell into a deep ditch and just sat there stunned. At that moment, I was faced with a dilemma. I could keep running and hopefully win a prize, OR I could stop and help the older gentleman to his feet and lose all the momentum that I had achieved. For me, it was not even a question. Of course, I would stop and lend my aid to a fellow runner. With a little help, I, puddin’ muscles, got him out of the ditch and running again. This time, I deliberately stayed behind him. As we turned a corner, the older runner stumbled again and skidded on the pavement. It took a bit, and as we once again we got him on his feet, I said something like maybe we should walk for a bit because I am tired. I wasn’t tired, but I could not stand to see him fall again. As we walked, I thought about how often in our Christian life we, become so concerned with looking good, that we forget WHY we are running. In our Christian life, helping and loving others is critical. It’s WHY we even run a race as a Christian. For that run, it was more important that I help my brother in need than that I finish with my best time ever. There will be other races, but I may not get another opportunity to serve that man in the way I did that day. I am eternally grateful that God gave me the opportunity to serve while running. He reminded me that doing good, not looking good is what is important. I wonder how often I have neglected the critical things in life because I wanted to look like a good Christian?

Comments

Thank you God for Leading us

Thank you God for how you lead us. Like a shepherd leading his sheep. Sometimes through the words you spoke in the Bible, your written word. at other times, it was the wise words from friends, coworkers,or neighbors spoken at just the right time. Still other times it was a gentle tug, a whisper to our heart to move in one direction or another; intuition or a sixth sense that one way or another was right or wrong Yet, when I listened and obeyed I found the way was clear, distinct and easy to follow. You never leave us to guess which way to go. ...

Grow Old Gracefully

I’d like to tell you about a lady I visited yesterday. She is ninety-five years young. She recently moved into nursing home. She asked one of the workers how many times she would have to walk around the outside of the building in order to walk a mile. She said the person told her about ten. Then she leaned in really close and whispered, “I walked around twelve just to be sure I walked a mile.” Hahahaha! What a lady! She loves to keep active, even in a nursing home. As we talked, I saw no anger or bitterness in her speech or actions. There was only a love for God, a heart of compassion, and a sense of humor. She has befriended the one "prickly pear" at the home because as she said, “I have to love her, so she knows Jesus loves her too.” Wow!!! I need to live like that! I want to show that much compassion for those around me that need Jesus. She loved to talk about God and what he was teaching her. ...

What’s That Smell?

To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. 2Corinthians 2:16 Last break! The shift was almost over. Then the unthinkable happened, this man appeared out of nowhere wanting to know where the flashlights were kept. As we were on our way to the flashlights, I noticed that this man had a very strong odor. I thought perhaps I could get in front of him so that the smell would not be as strong. That, however, was not to be either since; he insisted on keeping pace and walking right beside me. By the time we got to where the flashlights were; I was practically running just to keep ahead of him. I showed him the flashlights and made a hasty exit. If you’re like me, you shower and even put on perfume or cologne so that you will not stink. We are concerned that the smell coming from our body is not offensive to others. As I write this, I wonder if we are as concerned with our spiritual aroma as ...

Inspirations

Search This Blog