Tired of the Treadmill?

It's time for my true confession. I hope I don't disappoint you, but I don't read my bible and pray as soon as I get out of bed. I usually check e-mails, look at my calendar, go for a run (where I sometimes pray), eat breakfast, take the kids to school, check into my office, and then start solving problems. Sometimes in the midst of the problem solving I open my bible or read a devotional. I'm a pastor and I'm not always so spiritual.

This morning I was checking e-mails and opened Face Book (my new technological toy to keep in touch with friends). Then a chat started. It was only 6:00 a.m., but some one wanted to know if I had read my bible yet. I wrote, "No, but I will later." My correspondent wanted to know what I was going to read, and I wrote, "Galatians 5," and gave a brief sermon summary. I had to admit today my bible study was not so much for me, but for CCR. Then my correspondent asked if I did or didn't do things that I felt bad about. I wrote of course I do and don't do things all the time that I regret. I asked what my correspondent felt bad about, and she responded, "Not reading my bible."

I know the feeling. I remember discovering spiritual disciplines and finding new found spiritual vitality. It is a common experience in young faith - days when I can't pray enough or read enough bible. In my life, those seasons were most intense when I was single. Then came married life, the pastoral profession, and 5 kids; and life became much more difficult to manage. I would intend to read my bible, but then one of the kids was sick, or some one at church needed a visit. I dropped my agenda for my nurture, and did what seemed right at the time.

I remember feeling bad because I couldn't do the "spiritual" activity. I felt guilty, resentful, and angry. Had I failed? Could I not manage life better? Or were others to blame? Why couldn't they give me enough "peace" so I could be "pastoral?"

As I struggled with this tension between my spiritual intentions and the reality of a responsible life I came across a devotional comparing our spiritual disciplines to physical exercise. Elite athletes train for hours everyday. Ordinary people can thrive on 30 minutes 3 times per week. Maybe, we are at our best to live an ordinary life full of family, friends, purpose, and community. In the process maybe, we can't be elite at much of anything? However, maybe we thrive best in a climate that is full of discovery and freedom?

On occasion I run on treadmills. They allow me to make life manageable and take out some uncertainty and embarrassment. They help me exercise with discipline. I'm unaffected by bad weather or darkness. I can run at anytime on a treadmill. However, I never get anywhere on a treadmill. The scenery is dull. Also, they make my run predictable. I don't dodge cars, eye angry dogs, greet the neighbors, enjoy a sunrise, or get rained upon. Thus I believe runs are best outside in a community.

Sometimes we can approach God as if we are running on a treadmill. Run at ___ speed, on ___ elevation, for ___ minutes. I think God desires a little more spontaneity.

This week, we'll continue our discussion of freedom. We'll contemplate that Christ came to set us free. Treadmills are out for Christ followers. His desire is a robust journey.

I hope to see you this Sunday.

Come run with me.

Imana ikurinde,

Dave Jenkins