I’d love to announce that great running weather has arrived, however here in closing days of October the oppressive heat
and humidity in our aptly named Sunshine State continue!  As I running-icon town of Boulder, CO received two feet of snow
over the last 48 in the cooler reminded my wife during our run this morning however, it could be worse.  The American
weather all the easier.  Coaching legend Jack Daniels states “running in the heat at sea level compares to running at
altitude”.  Keep in mind Floridians that “heat” according to most endurance athletes and exercise physiologists is anything
where the heat index is over 60
I am led in this writing to challenge us all on the price of our endurance hobby and the balance we need to have in order
to be effective for God.  When I say price, I am not simply referring to the costs of our sport: clothing, race entries, our
specific running shoes, our supplements, fuel costs to our workouts and races, training accessories, hotel accommodations
during race weekend, etc., but also the price in time and personal energy.  I think we can all agree that money, time,
personal energy and living a balanced life are all treasures.  We have some real Biblical instruction on this topic from
the book of Mathew:

19-21  "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars.
Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your
treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.”

The key here is Jesus’ last instruction, “the place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up
being.”  Let that sink in for a moment and then re-read the previous paragraph on my challenge to all of us.  Do it now!

Now a few questions:
  1. Contrast your total spending of your last race (everything) with what you gave to your church and other ministries
    over the past month.
  2. Contrast your total training time last week with your amount of time in prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, worship, and
    teaching the Bible to newer Christians.
  3. Contrast the amount of pain endurance and exertion you put yourself through on that long run or hill session to the
    effort you gave in teaching your children the Bible or convincing that lost soul at work to come to church with you this
    weekend.
  4. Take a real feelings inventory of your prayer time, your fellowship time with other Christians, your time studying the
    Bible and your worship and contrast that with the emotions you felt while working out, at work, in non-church activities
    and with your family and friends.

Where are your treasures?  What total price are you paying as an endurance athlete?  If these questions punched you
right in the gut, it might be time to re-prioritize.  Are you balancing the many benefits of running (weight control, stress relief,
longevity, fitness, sound sleep, heart strength, positive image (for God), confidence (in God), vigor, mental alertness,
positive energy, friendly competition, striving for goals, etc.) with the costs to your time, personal energy and balanced
life with God, yourself, your spouse and your children?  This is a question that is between you and God and one that
we all need to answer every day.

Chris Wedge
NOVEMBER 2009
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