I serve an athletic God. Which is funny, because I’m not athletic at all. I like to think I am, but unless we’re playing whiffle ball- you don’t want me on your team.
So let’s say you and I are in beautiful Central Park in New York City and you ask me if I want to go for a run… NO, I don’t want to run! Lets take our time! There is no rush, we have plenty of time to just stroll through the park (unless I’m hungry). That situation happens a lot in my relationship with God. I believe it’s those moments, when God wants to run and I’m being uncooperative, those are the times He wants to do great things (and quite possibly punch me). The funny thing is, I want God to work. I’ve told Him time and time again to move, that His will be done, His plans before my flesh but I obviously don’t 100% mean these things since I’m not always 100% obedient. Thankfully, amidst my stubbornness, God decides to throw me over His shoulder and take off running.
The past 7 weeks of my life, I’ve been running with God. He has sprinted me in to orphanages, unknown streets, classrooms where I’m teaching english to six year olds who only know spanish, sketchy public transportation, and mental hospitals all because I allowed Him to go. These places that I never thought in a million years I would be in, have been where God has shown me the most. He has shown me unending grace, love through a poverty stricken child’s smile, and dark places that are bursting with a hope so contagious you can’t help but recognize that God is working.
The irony of it all is that we get so frustrated with God because we confine Him to the guidelines we set and blueprint we drew for our lives. If only God would cooperate! But in reality, it’s us who are not cooperating. It’s us who allow our fear to turn in to frustration because we don’t want to realize the truth that God is a gentleman and He will not do anything without our permission. The very second that we wave our white flag and allow God to override our plan with His, He will. The very second that we say “yes” to God’s will and say “no” to our self-centered, “flawless” (in our eyes), worldly ideas, God will run.
I believe that God does enjoy a good walk or a light jog. He wants to do life with us even if that means stopping and smelling the flowers (often). He loves that! But what I think He loves even more is our willingness to allow Him to throw us over His shoulder and take off. Our obedience to deny ourselves and to pursue His hopes and His dreams for our lives.
So get ready… because He runs fast.
