The Power of the Invisible

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Hopefully, our daily routine includes a good balance of mind, body, and spirit activities. My favorite activity in this category, you guessed it, is running. Running allows me to meditate, exercise, and pray. It makes me aware of myself, the surroundings, and God. It makes me conscious of the profound connection between what I feel, what I perceive, and what I cannot see. In the end, the visible repetitions of strides, core contractions, and balancing arm swings, are only possible through invisible mechanisms: the complex inner workings of cells, chemicals, and bioenergy. The real capacity of our bodies to propel us forward depends on the power of the invisible. Let’s briefly analyze some of these things that get us moving, but are veiled to our naked eyes.

ATP gives you energy
Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP is a compound containing adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups. According to The Bantam Medical Dictionary, “The chemical bonds of the phosphate groups store energy needed by the cell; for muscle contraction: this energy is released when ATP is split”¹ into its simpler components. Fast-twitch muscle fibers can quickly split ATP to produce energy. The energy released by this physicochemical metabolic reaction then translates into all body movement that levers bones and joints.

D grows you stronger
Vitamin D or its most common form in the human body, Calcitriol, is a group of fat-soluble steroid-like chemicals. It is mainly responsible for the absorption and transport of phosphorous and calcium from the intestines and into the bloodstream. It promotes the normal mineralization of bones and increases bone density. It also increases the size of fast-twitch muscle fibers, usually found in skeletal muscles, elevating muscular strength. Vitamin D links energy (phosphorous) and strength (calcium), resulting in better athletic performance, as confirmed by recent medical studies.² It helps you run longer and faster, with fewer injuries, and helps you recover quickly.

EGCG gets you protected
Epigallocatachin Gallate or EGCG is an ester found in many plants including several teas. It has potent antioxidant properties known to have many therapeutic properties, including treatment for certain forms of cancer and HIV. Antioxidants are necessary to remove free radicals produced during the oxidation that happens with muscle metabolism during exercise. The body’s antioxidant defense system uses EGCG as part of the immunological response to heal damaged tissue, increase our endurance to repeated exposure, protect us from further harm, and to enable fast recovery.

Invisible Gear

These and many other processes are invisible wonders of our physical complexity. We carry this invisible gear around even when we are not aware of its existence. Applying what we now know about them metaphorically to our race of faith is a fascinating concept I want to introduce here. What invisible gear we carry in our race of faith? What other invisible things have a natural effect in our lives? What spiritual values propel us, strengthen us, and protect us? What power keeps us from injuries? What unseen substance heals us? What imperceptible truth restores us, frees us?

The real power of the things seen reside in the things unseen. St. Paul wrote (NIV: 1 Thessalonians 1:3):

“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope”

Work produced by faith. Faith is actually the workout of your race, like the workout you get when you run out the invisible power that has been bestowed upon you. Invisible faith has you go to work every day; has you buy your airplane tickets for your vacation next month; has you enroll in your next race four months ahead or in your next university semester. Invisible faith makes you work now on what you cannot view yet. Invisible faith gives you energy.

Labor prompted by love. Love is what moves your fast-twitch muscle fibers to labor. Invisible love has you share words of wisdom and encouragement with your spouse; has you go to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. to visit a friend who was in an accident; has you care for your neighbor. Invisible love makes you grow stronger.

Endurance inspired by hope. Hope removes the free radicals that can damage your long term vision. Invisible hope has you look forward to that promotion that has not even been offered to you; has you see your healed body beyond your current disease; has you endure through adversity expecting better times ahead. Invisible hope gets you protected.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love” (NIV: 1 Corinthians 13:13). Remember to gear up with the power of the invisible!


^[1] Urdang, Laurence, The Bantam Medical Dictionary (Mass Market Paperback), p. 61.
^[2] Asp, Karen, Running on D, Runner’s World Magazine, Dec 2009, p. 36-37.

Vladimir Lugo