Rest From Running
I used to run 3 miles a day to work at keeping in shape and I gave that up quite a few years back. I liked the early morning running. I didn’t like running nearly as much as the rush of endorphins after the run. That part made the pain of running worth it. I had a friend that said he didn’t ever want to run because all the runners he ever saw looked like they were in pain as they ran.
I’ve also run from trouble before. I remember the first ministry that I served in; I was a bit young and often ignorant. I started getting frustrated with some of the leadership and I thought I knew more than I actually knew so I ran. I learned a lot after running from that ministry and into another that if the problem were me (and some of it was), it would follow me wherever I ran too. I learned to work through struggles and disagreements to grow and mature.
David had been running from Saul for quite a while. He decided to go into the Philistine country and Saul wouldn’t bother him there. Check this out…
2 So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath. 3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. 4 When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him. (1 Samuel 27:2-4 NIV)
David lived there for a year and 4 months. He didn’t rest long – in fact I think he became restless. He secretly started raiding towns of the Philistines and wiping them out. The king of Gath never really learned about these secret raids. I think this time of rest was good for David as he put some distance between he and Saul.
Sometimes a time of rest gives perspective and allows me to process what all is happening in my day and in my life. When I was in the practice of running, I would have to prepare to run. I also think it’s important to prepare for rest. I’ve learned to designate a place of rest and a time of rest. It’s also good to have a routine of rest. After a time of rest, then a time of refreshing can come. Rest can help my body as well as my soul. I’m trying to find a rhythm of life where some scheduled rest in part of my day. I’ve stopped running from things and working through them.
Pressing On!
Dwayne