To Carry Me

I’ve been reading through the Book of Ruth lately. It says of Naomi’s two daughters-in-law that “Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.” [Ruth 1:14b] I want to have a heart like Ruth. I want to cling to Him whom I have set my heart upon. And a moment later Ruth declares, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” [Ruth 1:16-17] I want to cling to Jesus the treasure of my life. As I cling in deep dependence my whole world changes; the direction of my thoughts and the steps of my days. I suddenly declare with Ruth, “Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” Jesus has become everything to me, and this has changed every thought and decision. And so I run.

This may be why I enjoy distance running. It keeps me in an attitude of dependence, a life of clinging. Today I made a final tapering run in preparation for my 50K event on Saturday. I returned to Purgatory Park for another fairly easy workout. It was just about 3pm and 85F with a good breeze to keep me cool. I ran three circuits for 3.68 miles in 38:46 minutes. It was enough, I thought, and I headed for home. I am as ready as I will be. It is now the Lord’s time to carry me – as always – along the trails and the distance. Pray that I will run clinging to Him. It is my joy and His glory. I pray that you will be clinging to Him as well. And in Him we can run hard and true. Hold on.