I KNOW WHERE I AM RUNNING

It is interesting to wake up one day and discover you are almost 59 years old. It is not that 59 has any significance but is does make one ponder what happen to the first 58 and how many more days are still on God’s calendar for your earthly existence. I guess the one good thing about reaching the 59 mark is you realize that all the hype about life and grabbing all the gusto is exactly as king Solomon aptly described, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity and striving after the wind. I cannot really tell the number of times I have fallen into a false belief that every thing is running pretty smoothly and my troubles have finally provided me a break. I guess some of that is true except the break never seems to last long enough. I am however thankful that the short breaks allowed me to catch a breath and start swinging again. It is at this point of almost 59 that I realize I am tired of getting back up to proceed with the fight and swinging again. I guess I could actually say some of this thinking began about 7 years ago when I started running. I discovered a wonderful thing while pounding the pavement with dreams of returning to my driveway without a major M.I. When I was out running I could sense a real closeness with my thoughts and the quite whispers of my Almighty. I could think much more clearly. I could not hear a cell phone ring or someone asking me a question or wonder why the person in front of me is driving 35 mph in a 45mph zone. I could hear my thoughts, I could hear my answers and if I was really listening carefully, I could hear God’s answers. I also came to understand that worship is not what happens within a church. Maybe this is true for some folks, but not for me. My best times of worship always come when I am truly alone with God and the pavement. Maybe it is just me but I find organized religion more of a distraction from God instead of drawing one to God. It is for this reason that after being involved in many different aspects of ministry of 36 years, I have decided to set aside religion and be still. It sounds funny to talk about being still when I understand that really means more road time and intense discussions. The modern church has really made the main thing for people to invest in is their religion. It is and will always be about relationship. Relationship with the Lord. So off I go to deepen that relationship with the One, not some one or something to hold on to. I understand and know where I am running. Do you?