To Run or Not to Run?

Answer: To Run

Here we go...

Every couple years a bunch of people at the ranch choose to do a marathon. Back in 2007 I was one of those who chose to do it. Although it was hard, tiring and I was very sore (I have never been very good about training) BUT going to Hawaii afterwards was worth it!

Then in 2009 my brother wanted to run a half marathon – he trained – I did not.  But I ran it and again it was hard, tiring and sore! 

Now it is 2011 soon to be 2012 and I guess I am going to do this again.  I decided to register early with the hopes that it will encourage myself to train.  And yes, I am using Hawaii again as an incentive to run.

The part that I LOVE about marathon training is the time with people.  We always run in groups and spend time in prayer and fellowship with each other.  The Lord ALWAYS teaches me things throughout the training time as well.  And we usually finish up the longer runs during the fall months with a warm cup of soup and bull riding.

I will try to keep you updated on what the Lord is teaching me through this time.

Fleeting breath of time

It is amazing how we can get so wrapped up in a project that needs to get done.  Today was such an example of that in my life at work.

It was one of those days that started out running and is still going... I am hoping to end it sometime tomorrow morning around 1am or so.  :)

I actually started this morning out with a little time: eggs and some time in the Word reading through Hebrews.  It wasn't until I got into my truck to drive to the ranch that it slowly started and ended up snowballing the rest of the day.  I back my car up and felt a bump... as I drove forward and looked back, there it was lying on the driveway, my fresh cup of coffee gone.  I had just run over it - not even getting a sip.

Luckily there was coffee at the directors meeting at the ranch.  But the rest of my day was a snowball of events and I was running behind trying to catch up.  Between meetings, trying to get stuff together for a board meeting, giving tours, answering questions, saying goodbye to full time volunteers, vetting horses my day was pack. 

And in the midst of all that there was people.

Throughout the day I failed to, many times, failed to connect with those people.  Even when I was talking with some of them I was thinking about what I needed to do and how I needed to get out this situation.

As I drove home I was listen to a song from Aaron Ivery.  You may know it... it doesn't really speak directly to where my thoughts are tonight, however it started the process.  The line:  I’ll find a way to get you here          If it takes my fleeting breath
It got me thinking about my day and how much it was run by the tasks I had to complete not run by the people I met.  I think that I am learning to understanding that it is not about the projects... God places people in our path, to encourgae forward, to grow towards the Lord, to build relationship with, to draw towards Christ.

I need to change my outlook.  I need to have an eternal perspective.  It is very easy to get task oriented... and to have a perspective that is on the here and now it is even easier.  But when you have an eternal perspective you understand how much more important is it to spend 15 minutes with a person that needs to be encouranged, rather then fixing a computer problem for a staff member.  Or how much more important is to to hear about family maters, to hear what is going on in someones life, rather then putting together a report for a board meeting.  Talking with someone about the salvation that Christ brings over a horse being vetted.

Don't get me wrong I think those tasks are important.  A lot of those tasks allow and help the ministry that I work in to function.  Yet, I believe I was off balence today. 

I need and am learning how to take those moments.  And not even just that... I took some of those moments but my head and heart wasn't there.  I wasn't thinking and praying and realizing that maybe this is an oportunity to glorify God and to possibly be a part of leading someone to Christ.  Instead my head and heart was in the projects of the day.

If you are reading this I just want to encourage you that there is always going to be more to do, there is always going to be tasks that need to be finished... the house is never going to be cleaned. the grocery shopping is never going to be finished, people are going to need you to finish things for them. 

Yet, don't miss those little moments at the grocery store when you bump into someone and you start a converstaion with them.  You don't know what that person is going through... you don't know if this is an ordained moment from God to speak into their lives. 

Don't forget to take those moments when your kids come up in your busy day and they desire to take time to talk with you, to play with you. 

Don't get so wrapped up in the tasks when someone comes to you with burdens and are not saved.  How much more important is that they find salvation in Christ and eternal life will be changed forever.

I encourage you today, do the task, do your job well... wether that is at the a ranch, as a mom, coffee, being a CEO... do your job well but don't get wrapped up in the tasks of life, the business of life that you miss those moments, you miss those times that are going to impact you kids, or impact other people. Because people are what this world is about and people are who Christ came into this world for to save.

Something to think about.

As those lyrics say: I’ll find a way to get you here          If it takes my fleeting breath

I want to sacrifce my time, my fleeting breath of time, to spend with these people so that they can be encouraged, grow closer and even find salvation in the Lord...

That is the kind of passion I want for people!