The mornings have been hot. Even Thursday when we were supposed to get heavy rain, it was hot. Even so, I have gone on my daily runs.
Years ago when I trained with my father, I would say "Dad, it's so hot!" and he would reply with "it's hot for everyone else too."
Those days are long gone and I'm on my own now. I don't have him at my side to answer to. He's not watching me to make sure I do what I'm supposed to do. That is good news. I can run as slow as I want or as fast as I want or quit whenever I want!
So, the other day I was running and as luck would have it, I run past an apartment complex. It is right at the beginning of my run or on my way back, at the very end of my run. At any rate, there is the possiblitiy of foot traffic through that area.
As I ran, I was getting really winded and tired. The heat was getting the best of me and it was only around nine o'clock. I decided that I was just going to stop. All my life my motto for running has been "You can do anything but stop!" I didn't care. I was hurting, I was tired and I was stopping! That is until I saw a man walking his dog. I decided that I could muster enough energy to get past him. I did and then continued running.
Again, I was slowing down and decided to stop. Unfortunately, I noticed a person on the balcony of an apartment in that complex. Darn! I can't stop....so I keep going. I am almost to the final leg and just can not go any more. I begin to slow down when I see an elderly lady walking. She is about taking her daily stroll with her hair made up and her 2" heels and shorts. I can't stop! I keep going...all the way to my destination.
So you might ask "why?" Why couldn't she stop? Well the reason is "sombody was watching." The man with the dog, the person on the balcony, the elderly lady all greeted me and watched me as I ran by. I just couldn't stop. I didn't want these people to think I was a "quitter." I don't know what happened but it was the same principle as my father being there. I wouldn't dare stop in front of my father. He was training me, he was watching me, he was preparing me and I couldn't disappoint him.
So it is with our heavenly Father. Sometimes we sneak around in attempt to hide thinking no one will see us. We sneak around and grin the sweet grin of success when we realize no one has discovered us. Like my run, we may slow down but when we discover somebody's watching, we straighten up and fly right.
We can not hide from God. There is nothing we can do, nowhere we can go, nothing we can say that will not be seen or heard by God. Secrecy is a crutch that will eventually break. The thing to consider is how we will justify our actions when we think no one is watching.
I have found new energy in running. You see, even though my earthly father is not physically present and watching, I know that my Heavenly Father is. I should live my life remembering that when I feel like giving up, when I feel I've been defeated, when I think no one will know....somebody's watching!
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13
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