Running Gear and Jesus

I first began running during my sophomore year in college after a break up with a boyfriend. I lived in my sorority house and most evenings a group of my sisters would head out for a study-break run. When I was invited to join them, I threw on a t-shirt, soccer shorts and my old cheerleading sneakers, which worked fine until I ran consistently and increased my mileage. Shin splints kicked in. A friend suggested I purchase real running shoes and showed me hers. They made shoes for running? I had no idea! So I purchased my first pair of running shoes. (Keep in mind this was over 30 years ago…)

Years later when I was training for my first marathon, a doctor I worked with asked what gear I was running in. I told him soccer shorts and old sorority t-shirts. He suggested I purchase running gear to wick the sweat away from me. They made gear specifically for running? Who knew? So I purchased my first pair of running shorts, tank top and sports bra! This was a game changer!

A student that was working with me one day asked what socks I was training in. I told her any old white socks I could find. She suggested I try running socks and actually bought a pair for me! What a difference that made! Such a sweet cushion to my feet! That was nearly 20 years ago and I’ve never run without a pair of running socks on my feet since then.

By the time the marathon rolled around, I looked and felt like a real runner. This running gear was truly life changing for me! I would have ended up an injured mess and probably quit running without the proper gear. Sometimes you just don’t know stuff until someone tells you. (I’ll share my favorite running gear below, because you might want to know.)

It’s the same with history. These are facts that nobody knows unless they read about them or are told by someone. And it’s the same with Jesus. He is a historical figure that people won’t know unless they read about Him or are told about Him.

We can’t assume everyone knows Jesus, just like I didn’t know about all the fabulous running gear available to me until people told me. Oh, they may have heard about Jesus like rumors on the street. They may believe some of what they’ve heard or not. But what if they heard the real facts about Him? That He was God who loved His children so much that He came down to earth to walk among them? That He brought us glimpses of His kingdom through healing the blind, lame, and sick? He loved the unlovable, reached out to sinners and showed us how to love and live like Him. As sinful people, the only way we can be with God is through forgiveness of our sins which He took care of by dying on the cross for us. By believing in Him and accepting Him as our Savior, we have eternal life with Him in heaven. He gives us His peace, love, hope and joy through His Holy Spirit and is with us every second of every day to help us through this thing called life. Do you think that might be a game changer for them?

People don’t know Jesus unless they are told or choose to read about Him. Don’t keep them in the dark, like I was with my lack of running gear. Reach out and share the good news. It will be life changing.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrightious, to bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:15, 18.

My current favorite running gear:

Shoes: Brooks Pureflow