For anyone who knows me in the slightest bit, you most likely know that I am a pretty avid runner. I love to run. Running is my "Me-time;" my time to release emotions, the time for my body to release some sweat, and not to mention some much needed endorphins. For about the past month or so, I have been battling some pretty nagging pain in my right hip, and it has put a wrench into my every morning routine of going for a run. Although my instinct tells me to run through the pain, I know it is much wiser to give my body some rest, but as I have been resting up, my mind has been questioning every little thing that I could have possibly done to have injured my hip.
While nothing came to mind at first, I eventually remembered going for a walk with my mom one afternoon, and as we were walking, she pointed out that my right foot was pronating pretty heavily. For anyone who is not a runner, pronating simply means that you are walking or running with most of your weight on the inside edge of the foot, so it looks like your foot is falling inward. It was so weird because I have never had a problem with pronation, but it soon clicked that I had recently switched running shoes, and that was the "Ah Hah" moment.
When I was out riding my bike the other day, I remember thinking about the new pair of running shoes I had purchased while on vacation in Virginia. Long story short, I went for instant comfort in a new pair of shoes that I had never run in before, rather than the supportive, stable shoes that I have found success in for the past three years. I disregarded the little nagging voice in my mind telling me it might not be the best idea to deviate from the shoes I had known and loved for so long. I should have listened to that voice. Little did I know, switching shoes would cost me more than just some paper money. It seemed that as quickly as the comfort came, it left... and the shoes no longer felt good. I quickly realized that I had made a mistake by choosing instant comfort rather than sticking to the shoes that I knew and loved, but took a little bit of time to break in, but seemed to know and love me right back.
This morning, as I was spending some time in the Word, God's lesson in this situation came full circle. There are moments in my journey with Jesus in which I feel like I'm on a spiritual high. I feel like I'm on a mountain top, and I am motivated to spend time with Jesus all day everyday. On the contrary, there are moments when I feel like I'm stuck in a rut. I sill know and love Jesus, but it seems so hard to find the motivation and satisfaction in reading my Bible, and spending time in prayer and other spiritual disciplines, so I look for satisfaction elsewhere.
What I realized this morning is that just like I negotiated long-term comfort and success in the shoes that I have known for instant comfort that would soon ware off in this new pair of running shoes, I tend to negotiate my relationship with Jesus, the one who I know and knows me, for instant gratification and comfort in earthly things that soon wares off. By this, I mean that I often negotiate spending time in prayer for time in front of the television or phone screen. I often choose a nap over spending more time in the Word. I often instantly satisfy desires like making a small purchase rather than praying through temptation. I take the easy road, the road that leads to instant satisfaction, but ultimately leaves me feeling empty and uncomfortable with myself and the choices I make. I am so quick to negotiate the long-term, everlasting, eternal care and comfort of a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally and promises me a future of comfort and perfection, for things of this earth that just won't last. I seek instant comfort because it feels so good for a moment, but I quickly realize that being impatient just isn't worth it, and true comfort and care comes from time with my Creator who I know, and who knows me inside and out and loves me so much that He gave up His life for me.
So there my answer came... in a pair of shoes. Unexpected, and surprised are understatements in this case... or as they say, "Who wudda thunk?" The Lord used a pair of shoes to show me that instant comfort does not ultimately lead to long-term comfort or satisfaction. Choosing to fill my life with earthly pleasures will not fill me up when I am feeling spiritually empty, but toughing it out and digging into the Word, even when I don't necessarily feel like it, will. Choosing to spend time talking with my Creator who knows exactly what I desire, am longing for and searching for, the Creator who is completely capable of providing exactly what I need, is the only thing that will ever lead me to everlasting comfort and satisfaction.
So here is my challenge to myself, and I encourage you to join me... Start simple, and choose one thing. What is one thing that you are choosing to partake in or spend your time on to gain comfort or satisfaction that you are able to sacrifice to spend more time in the Word or in prayer? I'm thinking a social media fast of some sort is coming my way, maybe that's an idea for you?
Blessings and peace, friends.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
No comments:
Post a Comment