It's been one of my favorite places on earth going back almost forty years although I haven't gone there much at all in the past decade. There's nothing particularly beautiful about it.....and no history of note. I'm sure that other people would think it one of the most boring places on earth. It's our local high school running track.
I was never much of a road runner where you are always looking out for a rock or a hole in the ground where you could twist an ankle.....or approaching cars.....or dogs. There's always something new and maybe interesting to look at while running the roads but nothing of interest on the track...."there's that bush again....or that tree again....or that wad of spit again." The only thing that I had to pay attention to was the number of laps.....which really wasn't easy because I used my time running....thinking.
During the normal course of just about any day there's just about always something happening that occupies the mind. It might be cutting the grass or reading a book or watching television or shopping or working or any one of a thousand other things. In between the pressing matters of the moment is time for the Christian to think about the glories of God. Now whether we do that or not is another thing but Paul advised.....and it's been proven valuable.....to pray without ceasing......at least when your not driving a nail or passing someone on the highway or some such thing.
I had always found when running the roads that my mind was too occupied to think about God.....but not so on the track. The track is the perfect place to meditate upon....to offer thanksgiving....to ask forgiveness....and to make requests of God. That's why the track...particularly on a hot steamy day where my mind cannot wander....is one of my favorite places on earth.
I'd like to say that I started running again but that wouldn't be accurate.....so rather.....I started going around the track again......mostly walking with some running in the mix.....and just like those days years ago....my mind went mostly to God in not only thanksgiving for all the blessing He has bestowed but adoration in that He has kept me in spite of my wanderings. The sweat will be pouring off of me....and the rising heat visible on the rubber track up ahead.....and I'd be wiping the salty sweat that's burning my eyes....and praising God.....for His infinite goodness and righteousness......and this time for even the ability to keep walking let alone running at sixty-eight years old.
I don't know for certain if I'll even go out again....for we don't know what a day brings.....but I know this.....this past week brought memories back....not necessarily of running around the track....but of where my thoughts were as I did so.
I was never much of a road runner where you are always looking out for a rock or a hole in the ground where you could twist an ankle.....or approaching cars.....or dogs. There's always something new and maybe interesting to look at while running the roads but nothing of interest on the track...."there's that bush again....or that tree again....or that wad of spit again." The only thing that I had to pay attention to was the number of laps.....which really wasn't easy because I used my time running....thinking.
During the normal course of just about any day there's just about always something happening that occupies the mind. It might be cutting the grass or reading a book or watching television or shopping or working or any one of a thousand other things. In between the pressing matters of the moment is time for the Christian to think about the glories of God. Now whether we do that or not is another thing but Paul advised.....and it's been proven valuable.....to pray without ceasing......at least when your not driving a nail or passing someone on the highway or some such thing.
I had always found when running the roads that my mind was too occupied to think about God.....but not so on the track. The track is the perfect place to meditate upon....to offer thanksgiving....to ask forgiveness....and to make requests of God. That's why the track...particularly on a hot steamy day where my mind cannot wander....is one of my favorite places on earth.
I'd like to say that I started running again but that wouldn't be accurate.....so rather.....I started going around the track again......mostly walking with some running in the mix.....and just like those days years ago....my mind went mostly to God in not only thanksgiving for all the blessing He has bestowed but adoration in that He has kept me in spite of my wanderings. The sweat will be pouring off of me....and the rising heat visible on the rubber track up ahead.....and I'd be wiping the salty sweat that's burning my eyes....and praising God.....for His infinite goodness and righteousness......and this time for even the ability to keep walking let alone running at sixty-eight years old.
I don't know for certain if I'll even go out again....for we don't know what a day brings.....but I know this.....this past week brought memories back....not necessarily of running around the track....but of where my thoughts were as I did so.
