5k Every Day in the Month of May 2017 (Day 3)
Woo hoo!!! 3.1 mountain miles with the love of my life! We have a full day ahead of us here in Colorado, so it was good to get our run in early this morning. I have one more day of mountain running (Jodi has already informed me that I’ll be flying solo for that) tomorrow morning, and then a couple of days of OHIO RUNNING before I am off to Iowa!!
For anyone who wants to join me for some good Ohio running, I’ll be at the Arboretum at the OARDC on Friday at 6pm . It would be fun to have a group there. Let me know if you can make it.
Today’s run was 3.1 miles at an average pace of 11:12 per mile. (Jodi was nailing it!) We plowed through 318 feet of elevation gain and finished in 34 minutes and 55 seconds.
Reading through Matthew 7-9 this morning, there was so much that stuck out to me. I’ll try to stick to just two main areas of interest.
First, I am always amazed by the words of Jesus towards the end of Matthew 7:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” – Matthew 7:24-27
How important it is to actually apply the words of Jesus!
Both people groups heard the words of Jesus, and both people groups experienced difficulty down the road, but only those who actually applied the words of Jesus to their lives were able to withstand the difficulties that came their way.
How important it is to actually apply the words of Jesus!
The second thing that really stuck out to me was at the end of Matthew 9:
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:35-38
As we are reading through Matthew 8 and 9, we see Jesus healing all kinds of people and illnesses. It is astonishing! Truly Jesus is the hope of the world.
Yet, here at the end of Matthew 9, he looks out at the crowds who are spiritually lost, and what is his response?
Does he say, “Don’t worry, I’m coming!”?
No.
He has already been working like crazy, and has been doing a remarkable job. But here he turns to his disciples and encourages them to pray for MORE workers.
In essence, he is saying that WE are the hope of the world. As we walk out the words of Jesus and share his truth with others, we are the hope of the world. We are the workers he is praying for.
It is really similar to something that Jesus said earlier in Matthew 5:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16
So… how are we doing with that? How are we being the salt of the earth and the light of the world?
Are we joining Jesus in praying to the Lord of the harvest for more workers? Are we rolling up our sleeves and becoming workers, ourselves?
We who follow Christ are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and the hope of the world. Are we living like it?
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Thanks for helping me get through those very hard mountain miles. Whew! Those were hard today, and I’m sure I would’ve just given up if you didn’t encourage me to keep on trucking.
I also was struck by the passage about the wise man building his house on the rock. I’ve read that passage many times, but today it was such a comfort for me to be reminded that no matter what can be thrown my way, if I am rooted in the love of Christ, He will sustain me.
You were great! Running in the mountains is hard!
We got our 5k and reading in this morning. Melissa and I ran 3.1 miles in 25:41 (average of 8:17 per mile). One thing from the chapters in Matthew that stuck out to us was how nearly everyone who Jesus healed received healing as a result of their faith. Jesus seemed to keep making the point in these chapters of how important faith was. It challenged us to look at our faith and compare it to those whom Jesus healed as a result of their incredible faith. Do I have faith that my savior has my back and will come through for me in all cases and circumstances? This is definitely an area for growth.
Great run and great insight! Thank you for sharing. I want to have that kind of faith!!
Paul and I walked early this morning. One thing that stuck out in Matthew was how God is in control of everything. He calmed the sea, healed the sick and lame; He controlled the demons (telling them what to do and where they could, and could not, go). This is always comforting.
Great insight! Glad you got your walk in this morning. I love that you guys are doing the challenge together!
Day 3. It has been fun seeing how everyone is doing on there walk or run and really cool to see what is sticking out to everyone in the scripture.
Tonight I ran with the running club on the rail to trails in Fredricksburg. It was a nice evening. Ran 3.1 at 28:32 which put me at a 9:10 pace.
It was interesting to me when Jesus was on the boat with his disciples and he calmed the storm how the disciples said what sort of man is this (Matthew 8:27) then when he came to the demons they cried out what have you to do with us, O son of God? (Matthew 8:29). Struck me odd the disciples seemed confused but how the demons knew who he was.
Also when Jesus went with wo be with the tax collectors and sinners hoe the Pharisees question what he was doing. When Jesus heard them he said, “Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I come not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13) It seems easy to stay comfortable and not reach out.
I’m glad (and a bit jealous) that you got to run with the group in Fredericksburg!
5K and scripture complete. Good stuff!
Good job!
I ran 9.7 miles this morning (and finally got that strava segment crown on Skylark Screamer!) then turned around and biked 14.1 miles to Fredericksburg for the group run where I ran 8.5 more miles with good friends! I also caught up on Matthew! I’d call that a good day!
I’d call that a GREAT day! Good work on the Skylark Screamer! Way to go getting caught up in Matthew, too!
My run with the Vertical Runner folks tonight was definitely a lot more fun than the last two nights on the treadmill. I guess Gods creation, real people, and horse poop enhance our sport.
In Matthew I was struck by the difficulties Jesus said following Him can incur. He said narrow is the way and few find it….then He even turned away a few prospective disciples because they couldn’t handle the sacrificial, homeless life that His current ministry demanded. On a positive note…He did say His Father would give us good gifts if we ask for them!
Haha. A little poo goes a long way… I so wish I could have joined the group run tonight. It sounded like a lot of fun, and how cool for Lem’s to be so generous.
SHAMELESS PLUG FOR LEM’S PIZZA, IT IS GREAT! GO THERE!!
Thanks for sharing your insight from Matthew 7-9. Great stuff!
Day 3 done. Randy is running faster and I am running slower, but we are still running 🙂 I did a treadmill 5K in 29:07 with a 9:22 pace, and Randy ran outside 3.5 miles in 28:39 with an 8:11 pace.
The thing that really stood out to me in Matthew is also the part where Jesus said we have to put His words into practice. Ugh! Sometimes I just want to justify how I feel/act based on how I have been hurt or whatever. Jesus says to not just read His words but to DO them. No ifs, ands, ors, or buts. No excuses. Not that we have to be doormats or constantly put ourselves in situations that will hurt us, yet stil act out Jesus’ words at all times. A constant challenge for me. I don’t want to be one where He says He never knew me. I can’t think of anything scarier than being before Jesus and hearing that.
I love reading thru and hearing what stood out to others and being inspired by their insights and their commitment as well! This is fun!
Great job, guys! Don’t worry, Amy. This challenge is not about speed at all! It’s about following through with your commitment (let your “yes” be yes).
I have really appreciated the insight, as well! I was planning to do another 5k Every Day in the Month of May on my own, if no one wanted to be a part of it, but this is so much better.
I was here debating on how to get out of running today because it keeps raining. After reading your reply to Amy I better suck it up and go. I did say, “yes”. So… wetness it is.
Haha. Rain runs are the best!
Part of my run/walk was with my wife tonight on a moonlit gravel road. That was a blessing. A word kept coming to my mind while reading through all those healings and miracles, “amazing”. It was amazing what Jesus was doing, but it was that centurion that challenges me. He had a faith that amazed Jesus. Where is my faith? When things look hopeless, do I approach God with confidence? Does my lack of faith keep me from being the worker he wants me to be?
Great insight! Sounds like a fun run / walk, and love that challenge of the faith of the centurion.
Late but I really did run! Check Strava. I ran with Vertical and Mark.
As I read Jesus’ teachings I often wonder what it would be like to a spectator in the crowd. Who would I be? I would think I would be the one hanging on to every word and not the doubters.
I believe you! Haha. I think I actually commented on your run on Strava.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to have been one of the few who were alive and in the region while Jesus walked the earth and performed these miracles?! Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit, now, but that would be intense.