New Years Resolutions

I was chatting with my sister Mollie yesterday about New Years Resolutions.  She, being the big sister, super-organized, out-going go-getter, has assembled a list of resolutions in each major category of her life, ranging from healthy, home-cooked meals to home organization to gym workouts. I, Captain Fly-by-the-Seat-of-My-Pants, signed up for a 10K.  HAH.  I've never run anything before in my life.  Ok, so one time I ran downstairs because I forgot about cookies in the oven.


As much as I may grumble over the next two months (which I will probably do a lot of), I am excited to have a goal to run toward.  [Sorry, that wasn't very punny]  By running slowly jogging this race, I will cross another item off my bucket list and hopefully improve my quality of life.  This will be a long road [Sorry again, I can't help myself]-- I can only make it about a third of the distance at this point without keeling over.  Fortunately HGTV and a great audio book keep me going at the gym.  In fact I have to keep exercising consistently or there is no way I will be able to run 10K in April.


Similarly, our spiritual journeys take time and persistence.  It cannot be done indifferently.  13th/14th century theologian and philosopher Meister Eckhart wrote, "There are plenty to follow our Lord half-way, but not the other half. They will give up possessions, friends and honors, but it touches them too closely to disown themselves."


What is your purpose in running?  How far are you willing to run?  At what cost?




Warning:  This is the first of barrage of running analogies...