“For the word of God is active and living…” Hebrews 4:12
I started running track in junior high and then added running cross country in high school. I continued to compete in these sports through college and still enjoy running today (even though I don’t take the time to be as committed to working out and competing as regularly as I would like!) It’s always great to meet a fellow runner and find out more about their journey. When I was in high school, I was always on the lookout for a good t-shirt with a quote about running. It’s much more common now, but in a sport, that wasn’t always the most fan-supported like football or basketball, I welcomed any references to running.
I was active in FCA in high school and college and that was an important way for me to get together with other athletes and learn about my faith and about the Bible in new ways. I always connected with Bible verses that talked about “running the race” and comparing this to our life of faith. Just like a long-distance race, our life of faith, is challenging. There are times we may get tired or the road may be difficult, but we have to keep pushing. There are people cheering for us, and Jesus gives us a great example to follow. And in the end, there is a great sense of accomplishment.
God uses all kinds of situations and our preferences to connect with us through His Word. I’m thankful that God uses ordinary topics like running, or something else you might be interested in, to speak to us. The stories of the Bible can teach us about being a friend, being a parent, being a child, being an employee, being sick, having questions, being judgmental, granting forgiveness, and the list goes on and on. Even though the Bible was written many years ago, there are still timeless truths that God wants us to connect with today.
Amy Givens, Director of Youth Ministry
