5k Every Day in the Month of May 2017 (Day 29)
We made it home from Virginia! It was a full day and we were traveling through the no-service mountains for much of it, so I am posting a little later than I was hoping to.
I did get my reading and running in for the day. Several of us went out first thing in the morning to get our daily 5k. Mark, Nate, and I ran 3.1 miles at an average pace of 9:13 per mile for a total run time of 28 minutes and 54 seconds. We just ran from the hotel and went discovering a 5k route. It was fun.
Much of my day was spent at the Steve Wingfield 5th Annual Memorial Day Community Celebration at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, VA. It was a great event. I met Steve Wingfield several years ago when he was putting on an event in Kidron, OH and we have stayed in contact to some extent ever since. I like him. He is a good guy. I was excited to be able to be a part of his annual community event.
The event featured a car show, food vendors, and some great music, as well as a message from Steve and a moment dedicated to honoring the men and women in the crowd who had served the country through the armed forces. I was personally invited to be a part of honoring the soldiers, and it was a special moment. I had a medal that we hung around their neck, then shake their hand and personally thank them for their service.
In doing this, and in thinking about Memorial Day, I am reminded of a verse of scripture that we read yesterday.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13
I truly feel blessed to live in a nation with freedom and (at least some level of) peace. I don’t want to take it for granted. Men and women have willingly died for us to gain and keep that freedom and peace. There really is evil in this world, and though our battle is not ultimately against flesh and blood (it is against Satan!), evil often corrupts flesh and blood and needs to physically be stopped. Stopping evil can come at a great price, which is the reason that we celebrate Memorial Day. We remember those who have given their lives for us.
I think it is right to think of passages like John 15:13 in light of Memorial Day, but that is obviously not the truest true meaning of the verse. The verse is actually speaking of Jesus, and his willingness to lay down his life on the cross for our spiritual freedom and (complete) peace.
Today, for the fourth time this month, we read about the crucifixion of Jesus. It is astonishing every single time.
Thank you, Jesus, for laying down your life for mine. Thank you for your infinite love. Thank you for your intimate grace. Thank you for eternal life!
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3.1 treadmill miles after spending most of the day driving. I was happy to be done….with both.
I agree with you, both on being grateful to live in a free country in a time of peace, and especially being grateful for the Son of God giving His life for me.
Haha. I can believe that you were happy to be done… with both! Running after a full day of traveling can be pretty rough.
Last couple days I’ve done my 5k run/walks in the heat and humidity if northwest Ohio. It was good to be back in Iowa for a cool evening walk. I had to go with a walk, because a sprinting challenge from my son turned out to be more painful then anticipated. At least after all these 5ks I could still surprise him with a little speed. In the readings, I was struck by Jesus’ prayer for his disciples, and for all of us as believers, in chapter 17. Not sure why, but the words “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so” came to mind as I read. Then to read through the crucifixion really shows how much he loves us. I wanted to keep reading even though I already know what happens.
Haha… sorry Ohio didn’t treat you better than that. I think I was able to be injury free throughout this past year partly because I avoided sprinting challenges!!
Its been cool to be able to travel while doing the 5k’s. I’ve been able to run in Pennsylvania and Virginia and of course Ohio. It’s great running somewhere else. I ran with Nate and Jeff in Virginia
These verses stood out to me.
“But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
John 17:13-16 ESV
It’s cool to see the. Conversation Jesus is having with God. It’s really a model of prayer and talking to God for us. Also it’s convicting if what he’s saying. We have everything we need but how am I taking what I’m given to use? Also how do I let the world control my life?
Good challenge!
Well. I did run a 5k yesterday on the treadmill. Forgot to start my watch but took pic of treadmill proving I did it. Ran today and totally exhausted after Field day and walking trip to middle school today. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Haha… WE BELIEVE YOU! Way to keep going in the midst of extremely tiring days!
Our 5K was in 24:10. It was a hot and humid day, and we also made the mistake of drinking milk before hand. It was rough but good. The thing that stuck out to me is how Pilate didn’t want to kill Jesus. He tried to keep from doing it. It made me wonder what he thought about everything that happened when Jesus died, the curtain tearing, the darkness, and of course the resurrection! Did he regret his choice or just go on with his life?
Pilate’s predicament always stands out to me, too. I would think him to be fairly innocent if not for what Peter declares in Acts 4:
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. – Acts 4:27-28
Those verses seem to indicate the Pilate was not innocent.
Great run, by the way!