The God of Running, Talents and Passions

Over the past couple of months I have developed a passion for running. 

I am not terribly good at it and I doubt I will take it very far, but something about training hard over the past couple of months has spiked an enthusiasm in me that I cannot really explain. It is during my time running on the road when I am able to clear my mind from stress and think about all the things God has been doing in my life.

Image Source: Lucas Favre

Yesterday I completed my first full marathon. 

It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done, but it felt good to complete something that I had worked so long and hard to accomplish.

Some of you might be wondering why someone would run for hours, putting themselves through extreme pain just to receive a T-shirt and a medal.

I don't blame you. I used to wonder the same.

Not everyone is passionate about the same thing. Not everyone has the same talents or skills. But I believe that God blesses everyone with talents, skills and passions that they can then use to glorify God.

"Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift back to God."

- Leo Buscaglia

During the race yesterday, as I looked around at the mixed faces of anguish, pride, joy and satisfaction, I saw reflections of God's grace in them all.

I am not sure what percentage of the runners yesterday would call themselves Christian, but this does not change the fact that God was present there and I believe that God was stoked with everyone using their God-given talents and passions to the best of their abilities, (many of them) unknowingly glorifying God in the process.

As I ran in the midst of thousands of runners, each with different goals and fears, I was drawn into a moment of worship, praising the God of running, talents and passions.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

- James 1:17 (NIV)