Run, Don’t Walk Part I

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1, NIV).

I really enjoy getting outside to walk, especially on the longer, warmer days. This serves to improve my heart health, but is also a space where I connect with the Lord, catch up with friends, and get some much needed Vitamin D after working inside all day.

As this summer progressed, I started to jog a little in addition to walking. I’ve been an athlete my entire life, but running is something I’ve never really enjoyed. Much to my surprise, as I began to mix in a little jogging with my routine, I started to enjoy the challenge.

After some consideration, I set a goal to run a 5k in 30 minutes. I didn’t need to sign up for a race. I didn’t need to find a running partner. I didn’t need to wait and say “I’ll do it, eventually.” It became about pushing myself to do something that stretched my comfort zone, and made me feel a little uncomfortable.

I woke early the morning of Labor Day, and it was beautiful outside. This would be the day of the 5k. After doing a short warm up walk, I started my jog. The moment I took off I had a vision of myself running forward in freedom, with my “chains” left lying on the ground behind me.

It was a true vision, and reminder, of what freedom in Christ is all about. Galatians 5:1 says: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

I think we are all guilty of allowing ourselves to stay stuck in the burdens of our past, our mistakes, and our sinful nature. I know that’s true for me at times. But may we choose today to remind ourselves of what it says in Galatians 5, that we have been set free through Jesus.

I don’t know what the burdens of your past are. I don’t know the mistakes you’ve made. I don’t know how badly you’ve messed up. I don’t know what’s been done to you that you didn’t deserve. But I do know Jesus, and the cup of suffering he chose in order to set us free.

When you know a personal relationship with Christ, the chains of our past are broken. The horrific punishment and suffering that Jesus endured on the cross was for the purpose of saving us from our sins, past, present, and future. We have been set free. Embrace that truth today.

Christ is calling. Run, don’t walk, in the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord.

P.S. Come back next week for Part II of this devotion, and to read out the 5k turned out.

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