Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17
A great way to get from point A to point B is to walk. I love to walk! Walk…not ride a bike, not jog…walk. I can walk with the best of them. The guys think I go into some turbo-charged mode at times because they can’t keep up. I can’t help it they prefer a leisurely stroll most of the time!
I never rode a bike a whole lot, but a couple of years ago my oldest decided I needed to prove I could ride one. I never said I couldn’t ride a bike, I said I don’t ride bikes. I don’t have as much control on those two wheels as I have with my two feet on the ground.
I was able to make it around the house just fine, although I did have to yell for everyone to get out of my way because I wasn’t sure I could stop. Maybe that’s why I ran into a shed when I was younger. The stopping might have been an issue even back then.
The youngest is in the midst of a personal fitness challenge for scouts. I don’t know how many times I’d tell them to keep up when we were walking the pup. It’s a little different now because he’s keeping track of his time. When it’s written down, all of a sudden we’re competing with the time from the day before. When we first started I would say, “You’re slowing down, do you want to slow down?” He’d pick up the pace again.
He’s really taking this seriously, and I’m so proud of him! One problem…he feels he needs to beat that time by quite a bit each day. What does that mean? Well we can’t go any faster walking, so now we’re jogging. When he started it would be for a few short bursts. No big deal! Now the few short bursts are the times we slow down. In order for me to stick with him due to safety, I’m jogging. I. Don’t. Jog. Apparently I should say that I didn’t jog. Even though I’m gasping for breath my feet are telling me I’m jogging.
I’ve been in desperate need of some faith on these “walks” we’re supposed to be on. As I’m chugging along, I’m telling myself how I don’t fear anything because there’s nothing to fear. I’m strong! (Isaiah 41:10) I’m basically telling myself how I don’t have to fear my legs are going to turn to jelly and stop supporting me because I have faith! I don’t have to fear that someone will stop to say hello, but I’ll be too out of breath to respond. I tell myself how I can run and not grow weary. (Isaiah 40:31) I picture myself soaring like an eagle…their legs aren’t having to pump like mine are!
Today, if you want to increase your faith drastically, go jogging with a pre-teen. You’ll find that time to communicate with God as your begging for His help and listening to His messages coming from your lips! Oh, I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)
