It was to be a stress-reducing two mile run after school. Taking off from the flag pole, I planned an out and back route designed to avoid clusters of children walking home.
But as I rounded a corner, there they were: four kids spaced out on the sidewalk like cones on an obstacle course. “Hey! You’re one of the teachers!” “Yes,” I stammered, weaving my way through them.
Then one of them gave chase. This happens sometimes: children follow me down the street in hot pursuit—like kiddie-cops. Today’s “police interceptor” was a precocious third grader named Danny. He caught up with me, screaming over and over, “Mr. Duncan, why are you running!”
I picked up the pace. “Surely, I can drop this kid,” I thought. But he matched me stride for stride for about 40 yards! “Mr. Duncan, why are you running!” “Because I want to,” I yelled back. Finally, he turned around. I was alone again.
Once I rounded another bend, I started to walk. Why? Because I’m a middle-aged man who just drag raced a nine year old! Still huffing and puffing, I pondered. “Because I want to.” What kind of answer is that!? What I really meant to say is, I NEED to.
I’ve run early in the morning and late at night. Dodging traffic and snarling dogs, in the rain and under the blazing sun. Simply because I love the way it makes me feel.
The apostle Paul felt this way about sharing the message of Christ: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” – 1 Corinthians 9:16b (NIV) The love of Christ compelled him; it moved him to extremes (2 Corinthians 5:14)
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
Here and now I must sheepishly admit that personal evangelism doesn’t always excite me like running does. I don’t often feel driven to share the gospel.
But maybe that’s because these two words -personal and evangelism- bring to mind the street corner witnessing of my Baptist youth. Handing gospel tracts to strangers never felt like a natural way to share my faith. However, answering (kindly) someone who asks me to speak up for the hope within me does. – 1 Peter 3:15b
Why am I running in this faith race? Because the love of Christ compels me!
Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
26 responses to “Why Do We Run?”
🤣🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ain’t that the truth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And we don’t have to drag race nine year olds in pursuing Jesus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!! Yes!!!!! 🤩
And you’re living on a prayer 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you, Bridget. I often ask myself (and God) is this really the right path for me? However, I know there’s whole life of good works (Eph 2:10) He has laid out for each of us.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Come to think of it, it was a bit of a Forrest Gump moment. Run Mr. Duncan, RUN!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Aimee! As you well know, there’s never a dull moment when working with children. In reality being a teacher in the elementary grades means being a rock star. Kids be chasing me down the street like I’m Bon Jovi!
LikeLike
This makes me wonder how many things there are that are important for us to do, yet we don’t do them. Running is not something I do, but I need to. And sharing the gospel is something I feel nervous about. Yet I love Jesus too. So we must keep going. Thanks for this reminder to step forward in faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I smiled reading this, thinking about Forest Gump 😉🏃♀️🏃♂️👟
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so funny! Kids are so hilarious and have no boundaries.
“Because I want to” was the perfect answer and I imagine you just picking up speed and leaving him in the dust. haha
You’re great at analogies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I outlasted him. Usually, they don’t stay with me for so long. After about 20 yards, they fade. But this little guy kept going! Pre-COVID, when I was in better shape and 15 pounds lighter, it wouldn’t have happened. I would have pulled away from that 3rd grader like I was Frank Shorter—back in the day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen and amen 🙏🏽 😂😂 sounds like you were able to outrun the kid though 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Betty. Words and actions work together to show us the whole picture. I appreciate your reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, brother. Yes, I saw the young man the next day at school. He reminded me how he chased me down. I told him he should be on a track team someday! Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must confess David I had a chuckle at your experience with the kid, but how often we all do something similar trying to shake off those pursuing us in society.
I think we share because we must! Time is short and getting shorter, there are many lost souls needing to know the gospel and our Lord.
God bless you brother.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Words are important. But so are actions. How we live our life speaks volumes. Enjoy your day, David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The sharing of your faith journey seems effortless as well, Maria. Who and what we are always speaks louder than words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, the love of our Lord compels us. I like to say that my journey here is compelled by soul, our divine essence within which is given to us all by God. It will sing when we feel moved. I don’t talk about my beliefs with everyone all the time but what I am committed to is being kind, compassionate and shining my light outwards for others to feel. This is how we stand in our faith. You do it effortlessly and beautifully David. Your storytelling and gospel passages tie in such a heart warming way. We each speak our best sermons by how we live our every day lives, not our words (or preaching) 😊❤🙏
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes they do! I was surprised how love he ran alongside me. I saw him the next day in the hall, grinning from ear to ear. “I raced you, Mr. Duncan,” he said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, hills are always a challenge. The are even worse on a bicycle. I used to joke that I was always down for the “Tour de Kansas “ race. Flat is where it’s at.
Thanks, Tina. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
love the drag raced a kid
Kids have so much energy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved you post, David! It made me smile a lot. Running IS fun. It’s not so much fun on my inclined street. I’m dead after once around the block. Level ground would be nice. I wonder if I’ll ever make it more than once around. I am compeled to keep working at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha … You are a blessing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words. You and I don’t personally know each other, but we are familiar with each other through our writing. Yes, I confess to trolling your websites! Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You may not feel driven to share your faith on a street corner but you most definitely share your faith your blog and (more importantly) through the way you live your life.
LikeLiked by 2 people