Waaaaay back in the fall, my mom signed Jake and me up for the Soldier Field 10-mile run that was to take place Memorial Day weekend.

10 miles sounded so doable back then. I figured I’d have several months to train. But after a long, nearly non-running winter, followed by a not-very-motivated-to-run spring, 10 miles began to seem like a big looming mountain; I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to cross the finish line before they closed the course. I had sorry images of being trailed by the police car with its lights on, announcing to all that I was bringing up the rear, the last one of 18,000 runners.

Well, we all finished (far from last). And I thoroughly enjoyed running with my mom the entire race.

Here we are before the race commenced.

I’m sure there are devotional books out there relating running to the Christian life. If not, there should be, because in many ways running is an allegory to walking with Jesus. For those who are interested, here is a quick list off the top of my head.

1. I used to run marathons. Those would be 26.2 miles long. Yet 10 miles was a big challenge for me because so many years have passed since running long distances. When it comes to muscles, if you don’t use it, you lose it. I have found that it’s no different with disciplines of the faith: prayer, knowing the Bible, obedience, etc.. If I stop praying regularly, that ‘muscle’ diminishes.

2. Running with a partner makes the race so much easier! I know for a fact that if I ran the 10 miles by myself, I would have been more tired at the end, probably would have been tempted to give up a few times along the way. God made us to be in community. We were never meant to journey through life alone. The journey is actually easier when we are walking with others.

3. During the entire race, my mind is on the goal: cross the finish line. This is what keeps me persevering through pain and discouragement. As a Christian, my eyes are fixed on Jesus in this life. I know that I will see Him face to face one day. That keeps me going, no matter how much pain and discouragement I may encounter along the way.

4. Training is key to running a race well. Oh, there are so many analogies within this one topic. You must build up the miles gradually or you are at risk for injuries. Training strengthens those muscles that you need for the race. Training develops the habits you need to finish well. When you train hard, the race itself becomes easier.

Of course, at the end of the day, any physical discipline pales in comparison to the importance of spiritual discipline! Physical training strengthens this temporary body; spiritual training strengthens the soul, which is eternal.

“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)