#5kMay2018 Day 11
Last night Jodi and I drove to Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We stayed in a hotel downtown and walked the streets to enjoy the sights and sounds and make our way to a restaurant. We had a wonderful evening together. 15 years ago we actually spent several hours at the Pittsburgh Airport en route to Cancun for our honeymoon, so this is kind of nostalgic.
This morning we jumped on the River Trail and ran our 5k alongside of the Monongahela River. (As a freaky side note, we noticed a recent article stating “Body found in Monongahela River is third one pulled from local rivers in 2 weeks“… so.. um… yeah…)
We had a great run and really enjoyed the view overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline. The trail is pretty nice, although there was a lot of local construction and much of the part of the trail that we were on was temporarily closed and rerouted. Oh well. That just allowed us to enjoy some more, um, industrial views.
Then on our way back to the hotel we had to stop at 2.95 miles to wait on a train. Haha. #GoodTimesInPittsburgh
It really was a great morning and a great run. It was just a little bit different from what we were expecting. We ended up running 3.1 miles in 30 minutes and 31 seconds for an average pace of 9:50 per mile.
In today’s Scripture reading (Mark 3-5), I was stopped by the 13th verse of chapter 3. It is a simple verse, but perhaps you, like me, have missed at least a part of its implications for years.
And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. (Mark 3:13, ESV)
In this passage, Jesus is calling His disciples to become “Apostles”. There is a lot that is going on here, but I want us to notice the beauty that is hidden in plain sight. It was for the disciples back then, but it is also for us today.
Notice the word “desired”. It is easy to miss. It is just kind of tucked in there… like a passing thought. But it is not a passing thought. It is the word that the Holy Spirit inspired Mark to write. Why? Because it is true.
Jesus desired the disciples. He desired their friendship. He desired for them to be with Him. He desired for them to grow in their understanding of who God is and in the way that they trust Him.
He called to Himself those whom He desired.
Friend, Jesus desires you. He desires to have friendship with you. He desires for you to be with Him. He desires for you to grow in your understanding of who God is and in the way that you trust Him.
Yes, Jesus is Lord and should be treated as such. He is in control. He is the “big boss man”. He is all powerful and all knowing and all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. We should follow Him and trust Him because He is God. But more than that, we should follow Him because He desires us. He cares for us. He loves us.
Maybe you missed that little word in your reading today. I have missed it, or skimmed over it for years. That’s okay. Just don’t miss it in your life. Jesus desires you. He is calling you.
May we, like the disciples did in Mark 3, come to Him, be with Him, learn from Him, trust in Him, and follow Him.
*5k Every Day in the Month of May 2018 is brought to you by Jeff Polen Music and Vertical Runner of Wooster. If you are joining the fun, don’t forget about the Facebook group, the Strava group, and the printable PDF.
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I always enjoy reading your comments on the verses. And I love that Jesus desires me! We are still plugging away each day! This morning was still difficult, but we eventually got it in!
Thank you. I enjoy reading about what God is revealing to others throughout #5kMay2018, too! Good job getting your 5k in!
I had a great night to run and better yet great company. Benji and I ran the trail in Millersburg. We had 3.1 miles with a 8:29 pace.
The reading it seemed all I was reading was about a healing here a healing there. From sick to being dead to demons being casted out. The part where the women touched his garment was interesting what he said. Jesus said your faith has made you well. This is challenging to me.
I love that story of the woman boldly reaching out and touching Jesus! It sure seems that He loves to honor bold faith like that!
Melissa and I got our 5k in this evening. We left our phones behind because it looked like rain was on the way. We ran a route we knew was just over 3.1 miles, but we did not how how long it took us. It definitely wasn’t our fastest so far, though! One of the verses that stuck out to me was verse 35 in chapter 3, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” What an honor to be both desired by Jesus and also to be called his brother and sister and mother.
Haha. Jodi and I have had a few runs that were definitely not our fastest so far, too!! But it is good to keep chugging away! I agree, it is an honor that Jesus would desire us and call us family!!
Sorry I haven’t been commenting every day, (I didn’t read all the fine print) I am still plugging away and hope I can still get the t-shirt. 🙂 Denver
If you are getting in your 5k every day and respond that way on the survey at the end, you will get the shirt!