For the last 8 weeks I’ve been on a running plan to get from sitting on the coach to a full 5K (which I will run on July 31st). This morning I forgot my ear buds so I decided to run without them instead of trekking back home. I figured it would give me some time to pray and think. I was right…except that I also learned that my breathing is kind of distracting, but that’s another post for another day.

Giving me time to think can be dangerous. You never know what you’re going to get. This morning I started pondering about the rules of running on a trail, or what I call “Running Etiquette” and how they apply to our spiritual lives. See, I told you I’m weird. So here they are in no particular order or sensibility:

1. Rule #1: Always run on the right side of the trail…always.
   I learned this one during the first 2 minutes of my first run on a trail. I learned it by breaking it at the same moment a biker was trying to pass to me (he followed rule #2…coming up). The biker let me know in no uncertain terms that I had broken this rule, I have never broken it since…it’s a good way to get run over or at the very least cussed out by an angry biker dude.

   The Spiritual Application: God has a path for us to follow (He calls it the narrow path in Scripture) and if we don’t stay on the right side of the trail we just might get run over…or proverbially “cussed out”. We know this rule but we sometimes like to wander off the right side (either out of boredom or rebellion). It’s not a good idea.

2. Rule #2: If you’re passing someone you must tell them which side you’re passing them on (i.e. “on your left”).
   This is more of a “Biker’s Rule” of etiquette since they are the ones doing the passing at high speed, but it’s still a good rule to be aware of. As a runner you’re not always aware someone is coming up behind you so it’s nice of them to tell you so that you don’t accidentally violate Rule #1 like I did. Even so, this announcement can scare the life out of you as it did this morning (my shorts are still clean though…but it was a close call).

   The Spiritual Application: I had to rack my brain a little for this application so it might be a little bit of a stretch (if you come up with a better one please comment with it…this applies to all of the rules). It’s always a good idea to let people around you know where you are spiritually, and this includes notifying them once in awhile (especially when you’re passing them??). We call this being authentic. Make sure the people around you are aware you’re there…don’t just fade into the background. Be noticed.

3. Rule #3: You must always say “good morning” or nod or wave to people passing you in the other direction.
   This is one of those “unwritten rules” that I dare you to violate. Nobody will say anything, but they will think badly about you and wonder why you don’t like them…and we all want people to like us, right? I’ve noticed that different people have different ways of acknowledging your presence. Some always say “good morning”. Some wave. Some nod their head. But everyone does something. Me…I’m a waver because I can hardly breathe as it is without speaking.

   The Spiritual Application: People want and need to be acknowledged and recognized. So do it. Let people know you see them. let them know they matter to you. Tell you kids you love them. Shake people’s hands at church (or give them a hug). Don’t ignore people…God designed us to interact with people. They need us and we need them.

4. Rule #4: People walking their dogs must get off the trail when they see someone else coming in their direction.
   Again, this isn’t exactly a runner’s rule, but it still seems to be some odd rule of the trail. Not everyone follows the rule, but enough do…and it’s a weird one to me. Maybe they’re afraid their dog will bite (although none ever so much as look up…they don’t follow Rule #3). Maybe they feel lower on the “food chain” (bikers, then runners, then walkers, then dog walkers??)? I don’t know…but they do it even if the side of the trail is muddy.

   The Spiritual Application: This is a rule we probably shouldn’t follow in our spiritual lives. Never get off the trail…ever. Keep going, Don’t give up. Don’t give ground to anyone (or anything) in your spiritual run (or walk). Stay on the trail, keep making progress. We’re all on the trail together and there is plenty of room for everyone. And you might even make a few friends along the way who help you out!

One final thought on this weird trek through my thought process this morning. Running doesn’t just happen. You don’t just wake up one morning and go run a 5K. It takes progressive effort. It takes training. It takes some pain. Same thing in our spiritual journey…you don’t just wake up one morning ready to walk on water or raise the dead. It tales progressive effort, training, and some pain along the way. It’s called growing. And we;re all in it together!