#5kMay2018 Day 14
We are two full weeks in! Good job to everyone who is tracking along. Go ahead and leave me a comment here on the blog to let me know how you are feeling!
Personally, I am feeling a little sore!
Today I ran with my faithful running buddy, Derrick Miller, at the Fredericksburg trail. Derrick and I have had a longstanding agreement that we will run from the trail head at 3pm on Monday afternoons every Monday that we are available. He is a great guy and a super fast runner (he has been the fastest male at the JPM 5k & Musik Fest for 3 out of the 4 years it has been going on -and he wasn’t able to be there for the fourth year). We always have a great conversation, and Derrick is a fellow #5kMay2018 participant, so today was another great run. We ran a total of 6.86 miles at an average pace of 7:23 per mile. We had a total moving time of 50 minutes and 43 seconds. I was glad to stretch out the miles a little bit, and though I started a little slower than I had hoped (our first mile was 7:45), I was able to get moving a little quicker by the end (7:08 by the end).
Derrick has been training for a 100 mile run this summer, and he has a big goal of running a 5k PR this weekend.
I read Mark 12-14 first thing this morning. The same passage stood out to me this year as last year. The emphasis was different last year, though. Here is the passage:
And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. (Mark 12:13–17, ESV)
Last year I was amazed by the way that the Pharisees and some of the Herodians gave Jesus empty compliments in their attempt to trap him. It is sad, because the things they said about Him were true, but they failed to realize it. They were so close to the truth, but still missed it because their hearts were bent on evil.
Today I have been thinking more deeply on Jesus’ answer. “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s…” What’s that all about?
The denarius that Jesus was using as an illustration had the image of Caesar carved into it. It was made in the image of Caesar. Curious. The things that were made in Caesar’s image belong to Caesar, so pay your taxes.
That seems simple enough, but then He says, “…and [render] to God the things that are God’s.” What is the connection? Does God have His own money? Not exactly. American money says “In God We Trust”, so I guess our money belongs to Him… but that’s not exactly what Jesus was talking about.
So what is He talking about here? The denarius was made in Caesar’s image so it belongs to him. What was made in God’s image?
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
…So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26–27, ESV)
Us.
We were made in God’s image.
The coin was made in Caesar’s image. It technically belongs to him. Give him what he asks for.
We were made in God’s image. We technically belong to Him. Give him what He asks for.
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, ESV)I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2, ESV)
God wants us. God wants you. Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s.
*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’m still in!!! A tad sore but gaining. On the elliptical so increasing incline as I go.
Amen to your insight on the scripture this eve!! Thanks!!!
Good job! Way to keep going! You rock!
My legs are tired but I over all doing well. Love the spiritual insight from the blog. Keep it up.
Tired legs are good, right?! Great job! Keep it up! And thanks for tracking along with the blog!!
Left calf right but other than that good…try to go out with the fam as well
I loved your family Goodr photo! Keep it up! You are rocking!!!
Still with you! I have to admit the last few days have been really mentally challenging for me. But I’m not going to give up!
Day 14 complete with a 5K Walk with my husband. Will try to push for more jogging days.
I’ve enjoyed my solo efforts as well as the various people who have joined me on my treks so far. A coworker, my great nephew, 4 different friends and my husband! What great quality time!
I have been enjoying getting in the word. Although my insight is extremely shallow compared to yours Jeff. Thank you so much for the amazing gift you have of interpreting and sharing the word. I Also have found the book of Mark to be little bit more difficult for me when reading. Maybe because it isn’t quite as detailed as Matthew was. And I think Luke will even be more detailed than Matthew. Again I thank you for this physical and spiritual challenge!
How fun to have so many people a part of your daily walk / run! Good for you!
I am convinced that running is such a mental exercise! The flesh is weak!! Haha. There are so many days that I don’t want to go running, or I don’t know that I can, but I am always glad that I did!
It is funny how the different Gospels really seem to resonate with different people. I love reading them all, and I have different reasons for liking each, but I have to admit that Luke is my personal preference. One more day of Mark, and then on to Luke!!
Thank you for the encouragement and for tracking with me through the blog. I don’t feel particularly deep, I just open the Bible and expect God to speak to me. He always does! Sometimes it is through reading the passages, and other times it is through reading the responses of other #5kMay2018 participants. This has been a really fun journey together!
I’m still with you Jeff! I think I told you last night how I mainly feel I’m a little tender yet today but not quite as bad as last night… I to love the spiritual look in this blog. It’s been very encouraging and interesting!
I’ve been praying for you, Ron! You’re doing so well!! Keep going!
Oh yes the flesh is weak! Thanks for the reply!
Great job on your run today Jeff. Hope you are feeling back to full par. Pace looked great.
Day fourteen. Already? This month is really flying. Today I did a 5k and that was probably good. Today was a struggle. I had a 9:49 pace and seemed I had to work for that.
The verse that stuck out to me was “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 13:11 ESV
This was Jesus telling his disciples what there going to be going through. My hope is not just in my trials of life of when I’m being judged but that my life would be fully this way with the Holy Spirit using me and speaking through me. I have lots of room to grow here.
Thanks! I felt pretty good, especially by the end.
Well my right knee has been hurting so I barely ran the last few days! Walking had to do! I was hoping to run most of the way by now,and it makes me a little sad. I try to get my reading done at work! So far I’ve been enjoying to do the 5k as it gives me exercise and makes me feel so much better!
You are doing great! You will be so much stronger by the end of the month.
I’m enjoying the 5K every day. It goes best for me when I go for a run first thing in the morning. I’m also really enjoying the reading. I love how helpful and practical Jesus’ teachings are.
I’m glad that you were able to join #5kMay2018. You are getting some pretty great runs in! I am also really enjoying the reading!
Melissa got her 5 k in this morning, and I did mine after getting home from work. My time was 26:57, which I think is my best so far this year. It’s still not where I would like to be though. We are both sore but not as bad as the first few days.
I thought your comment about giving to God what is God’s was really interesting. I had never thought about that being us in this specific context, but that definitely makes sense. While we are so often worried about money and who is should or should not go to, God is much more interested in us and our obedience and love to and for Him.
You’re getting there! 26:57 is a great time! Good job!
I think you are right that God is much more interested in us and our obedience and love to and for Him!
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
Paul and I are still in. We’re doing ok—sore one day, better the next, but just getting outside and getting some exercise is good! We always start with listening to the three chapters, and we are really enjoying that. Because we’re walking, we always have plenty time then to talk.
Good job! I love that you are able to do the challenge together!!
I enjoyed today’s run. A run with a buddy outside definitely goes a lot faster than pounding the treadmill alone at home. I like your insights…I will plan on giving to God the things that are His.
Haha. I don’t know how you get so many treadmill miles! I can’t decide if I am IMpressed or DEpressed thinking about it. Good job, either way! You’ve got this 5k PR on Saturday! I believe in you.
I’m still in. Muscles are a little sore, but that’s a good thing, right?! Love seeing my time get better. When I started, I walked. Now I’m up to walking/jogging, and yesterday I did 4 miles in the same amount of time it took me to walk those first few days. Yay!
Awesome! Great job! Sore muscles are a guarantee on the path to becoming stronger.
Wow – I had never thought of it that way and it makes absolute sense. It is always us and our hearts and our obedience that He wants. As I’ve been reading thru the Old Testament, it always stands out to me where God or someone else will say something like it isn’t the sacrifices He wants, but our obedience. I will look at this passage differently now and so much better.
We are still chugging thru, getting in our daily runs and reading. I don’t always want to run, but when I’m done, I’m so glad I did! Please pray for Randy’s back. He is really starting to hurt right now as he strained it.
I am definitely praying for Randy. Having a sore back is miserable! I hope it clears up, soon. Way to keep chugging through!