Running into Sainthood

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Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005.^[1] During his funeral, six days later, the crowds gathered to say their last goodbyes to the beloved pope while chanting at unison: “Sancto Subito!” They were petitioning for his immediate sanctification. As you probably know, canonization is the process of some traditional churches by which a person is granted the highest title of Saint. The process requires a thorough review of the person's life and work and a democratic election by representatives of the church. I am not against formally recognizing our heroes in the faith; however, the Bible calls saints all believers and followers of Jesus Christ. You and I are saints by faith. We may never be canonized, but we are made holy by persevering in him, just as Revelation says (Revelation 14:12 NASB):

Here is the perseverance of the saints
who keep the commandments of God
and their faith in Jesus.

In light of this, I would like to share how training for the marathon brought me into deeper sanctity of the soul.

Running the Race
What does a marathon have to do with making people saints? Well, for one, the Christian faith is always compared to a long race. The Bible is full of references that tell us so. Hebrews 12:1b AMP, for example, says: “…let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.” Saint Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8a GNT: “I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God.”

Second, running the race is a metaphor for living the Christian faith in fullness of goodness, virtue, and worthiness of imitation. Goodness, virtue, and exemplary life are the result of the deep conversion of the heart that comes from dedicating our lives to God. Finishing the race is close to a miracle; the crowning moment of sainthood.

Pick Up a Good Plan
Make a decision for the plan that you are going to follow. If you haven’t made a decision about which plan you are going to follow for the event, you will not be able to run the marathon. To run a marathon, it is crucial to pick up the right training plan so that you know how to train. It is even more crucial to follow a plan by someone who has actually done it before you. It is crucial that you follow the plan exactly.

In your faith life, you also need to make a decision for Jesus every day. If you have not made a decision for Jesus now, it will be too late on the day of reckoning. But if you do, you are made “Sancto Subito” by your faith in Him. In the same way that running constitutes you a runner, following Jesus constitutes you a saint. It is important to follow someone who has done it before you. As a Christian I believe that Jesus has done it before me and so I have picked up his plan. Since I have picked up his plan to follow, I need to stick to it, following the word that he has given me.

Do it at Your Own Pace
To run a marathon, you need to understand your body and run it at a pace that your body can withstand and for which you trained. If you try to run too hard and too fast, you risk injury and subsequent failure. No matter how much the music along the marathon route seems to urge you to run faster or the flow of adrenaline in your body entices you to accelerate, go at the pace that you trained.

In your faith life too, it is crucial to run at the pace that you have chosen. Do not worry that others are growing at a much faster rate, or that you have overtaken others. Just enjoy the walk, or should I say the run, with the Lord. He will run with you at your own pace.

Run with Endurance
No matter how much you have trained, the last few miles of a race are always a challenge. It is the training and achieving the goal (or crossing the line) that you have in mind that keeps you going. Focusing on the goal helps to keep you running in spite of weary legs and cramped muscles and to press on towards the finish line.

In your faith life too, you could be weary at times; questioning whether you will reach the end, whether you will be able to finish. Focus on the final goal; it is not a medal of iron or steel that awaits, but the crown of life that the LORD himself will give to you on that day. That crown will help you stay faithful to stay the course and keep on running.

I urge you to run your own race with endurance, knowing that one day, you will be welcomed into His Kingdom with words that echo those of Saint Paul above:

You have done your best in the race,
you have run the full distance,
and you have kept the faith.
Here is your victory prize. Welcome to the kingdom of saints.

If you are like me and are interested in living your life for the greater glory of God, use the experience of running not only as a means of physical exercise and health, but, also as a means of growing in holiness for the greater glory of God. Go run into sainthood.

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Notes:
^[1] Funeral of Pope John Paul II, Wikipedia, Last Accessed 11/15/2012.

Where is the line?

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Venice Beach was charged with electricity. People were everywhere; excited, nervous, filled with anticipation. It was six a.m. on this autumn morning. Stress levels, of the healthy type, rising with the sun. It was chilly, yes, but only the weather felt that way. People were warm, welcoming, and wired up. It was foggy, yes, but only the air looked that way. People were smiling, with a clear sense of purpose and direction. At least that was what I thought was true for the rest of them. As for me, the day turned out to be a different story.

The Set Up
I had trained several months prior to this event. It was the first time I was participating in an Olympic-distance triathlon.^[1] I was filled with doubts: Would I drown? Would I survive? Would I be eaten by a shark? Would I spend more time transitioning than racing? Would I cycle past exhaustion? Would I have legs to run to the finish line? Did I train enough? Probably like the rest of us out there, I was overwhelmed by the voices inside my head, and I am not schizophrenic. These were real voices and I was soon to find out some answers.

We formed at the starting line and we jumped into that chilling ocean water at the first sound of the air horn. Triathletes rushed to the water with frenzy. Everyone was trying to get ahead. All of the sudden, I felt myself the easy target of elbowing, kicking, pushing, pulling, and crushing. Lots of people were fighting to occupy the very same spot in the water I was in. When I finally managed to get to the first buoy I paused to see where I was supposed to go and realized: “Where is the line? There is no line at the bottom of the ocean. There is no line on its surface either.” I did all my swimming training in the pool and nothing had prepared me for this. At that point I felt lost. In fact, I was lost.

The Set Down
The big waves lifted me high and sank me low. The undercurrents pulled me in many unintended directions. The fog and my goggles blurred my vision and hid the markers. The many swimmers that passed me by distracted me from my objective. I followed some of them who actually took me in the opposite direction. Algae filled me with terror at the first touch in the turbid sea. There were lifeguards on surf boards. I thought to myself, “They are here to help, if I follow them, I’ll get through this.” So I did, zigzagging my way through the waters, adding more distance than necessary, of course. After one long hour in the ocean, I was tired, in pain, and far from finished.

The Set In
I repeated to myself “I am not a quitter… I am not a quitter.” This was the phrase that got me through. I took courage. I forced myself, almost breathless, exhausted, hungry, to one last surge of power. When I turned the last buoy, I paused again to have a visual of the beach. I joined hundreds of swimmers fighting the rip-currents to exit the waters. The visual effect was like sardines on dry land, except that we were the ones outside our elements. When I finally reached the beach I could barely walk, dizzy and disoriented. I realized: “My training was not enough.” I did not learn proper technique for the ocean. I did not practice active recovery. And above all else, I did not know how to follow an imaginary straight line.

In our race of faith, we will face many distractions: 

• People trying to take advantage of us 
• Others with good or bad intentions misguiding us 
• Self-called saviors that could deviate us from our path 
• Blurriness, or lack of vision 
• Poor technique or unpreparedness 
• Big waves of trouble and difficulties 
• Exhaustion, fear, or pain 

In the midst of these, how do we find guidance in the high waters? How can we sharpen our vision? If we focus on these, and many other possible distractions, we risk our wellbeing. Our spiritual, relational, mental, and even our physical health is in jeopardy. We are closer to the dangers of quitting. I am sure King David was not a triathlete, but I can certainly relate to his feelings when he wrote (Psalm 69:1-2 NIV):

Save me, O God,

for the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

Like David, we need to fix our eyes on God and call upon Him. He is the One mighty to save; the One gracious to guide; the One who will see us through until we come on top. As for guidance for your ocean swim, I learned the hard way that you need to lift up your eyes to a landmark and follow it; but remember that God is beyond the hills (Psalm 121:1-2a CEB):

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD.

Next time you are in a situation for which you cannot find any guidance or you feel helpless, call upon God. I assure you: you will be surprised.

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NOTES:
^[1] Olympic Triathlon consists of a 1.5 Km (0.93 Miles) swim, a 40 Km (24.85 Miles) bicycle ride, and a 10 Km (6.21 Miles) run. These are the official distances used in the Olympics, thus its name.

If Salt Vanish Away

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A few days ago I came across a television program about salt. The show explores some of the 14,000 known uses for this mineral, ancient and modern.^[1] This subject got a hold of me. It opens the door to many interpretive opportunities to continue our exploration of Jesus’ metaphor when he said:

“Ye be salt of the earth; 

 that if the salt [shall] vanish away, wherein shall it be salted? 

 To nothing it is worth over, 

 but that it be cast out, and be defouled of men.”^[2]

You and I are the Salt of the Earth. We explored this concept in our previous article. This time around, I would like to explore the meaning of salt vanishing away. 

The word, “vanish” derives from the Greek verb μωραίνω (mórainó), which literally means to make tasteless, useless, contaminated, and even dumb – yes, from the Greek root, μωρός (mōrós), we derive the word moron. 

What does it mean, then, that salt vanishes? What conditions may render salt null? How can we lose our qualities? How can the essence of who we are in our race of faith disappear? Table salt, by the way, does not lose its properties easily and does not degrade naturally. However, our bodies need other salts to properly perform its metabolic functions, which could vanish by dilution, decomposition, and devaluation.

If Salt Becomes Dull
Most of the English translations for this passage focus almost exclusively in one specific use of salt: seasoning. The most common phrases are: “if the salt has lost its savor,” or “loses its saltiness,” or “has become tasteless.” 

You and I must give life its flavor. We must bless our land and the men and women with whom we share our lives with. We must offer them reasons to live, to dream, and to serve. We must dose peace, joy, love, goodness and, just as we Latinos say, Sabor! We cannot allow ourselves to lose these qualities. If we lose flavor, we leave ourselves dulled, useless, and we will then be excluded from our circles of influence and left to public shame.

If Salt Becomes Diluted
When we sweat, the concentration of salt in our bodies diminishes. If we add to this our natural impulse to drink large amounts of water in fear of dehydration, the result could produce dangerous consequences. Dehydration is not the enemy of the endurance athlete; quite the contrary, it is a condition known as hyponatremia, or water intoxication. Water excess dilutes salt to such low levels that it may reach the point of causing cramps, nervous malfunction, coma, and even death.^[3]

You and I must not get diluted. We dilute ourselves when we keep silent in the face of injustice, participate in peevish conversations, or ignore others' pain or their needs. We dissipate ourselves when we twist information for our own benefit, slander our neighbor, or gossip against other Christian believers. We must reflect a higher moral standard. We must run our race of faith to the point of making ourselves noticed and even appear strange to others, just as Saint Peter said: (1 Peter 4:4 KJV):

“They think it strange

 that you do not run with them

 in the same flood of dissipation.” 

If Salt Becomes Decomposed
Salts are chemical compounds. Table salt is sodium chloride. As indicated by its name, it is the combination of chlorine and sodium. Decomposition would imply the separation of these elements, which is possible through an electrical current. Chlorine separates into a greenish yellow gas, highly venomous and stifling, while sodium groups into a light metal, highly reactive and explosive when in contact with water. 

You and I must not get decomposed. We decompose when we foment fascism, stimulate discord, provoke friction, and bicker in bitterness. We contaminate ourselves with our explosive attitudes, making ourselves venomous in our dissensions  and suffocating others with our extreme religiosity. We must live in the God-given grace and give grace to allow others to live. Our life style must match our message and our message must match our life style. 

If Salt Becomes Devalued
Salt had so much value in ancient times that it was often used as currency. It is said that soldiers and athletes were paid in salt portions for their work; hence they got paid their sal-ary.^[4] Jesus parable suggests, in modern terms, how stupid it would be to receive your salary in, let us say, currency paper, and cut the face value or serial number, clear its ink or alter it chemically, or burn it away. 

You and I must not get devalued. We devalue ourselves when we lose our role as spiritual leaders in our homes; we retire from the conversation when our society discusses moral issues, or ignore the unethical procedures of the organization we work for. Every time we behave in this manner, we make ourselves useless. Jesus implied that this behavior is as stupid as burning money. The value you and I contribute to the world is sal-vation. Without salvation, this world is dysfunctional, nervous, borderline comatose or even worse, close to being spiritually dead.

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NOTES: 
^[1] How Stuff Works: Food and Beverage: Salt; Season 1; Discovery Channel; January 29, 2009. 
^[2] Quoted from Matthew 5:13 WYC. This reference also appears in Mark 9:50 and Luke 14:34-35. 
^[3] Burfoot, Amby, Drink to your Health, Runner’s World; Last accessed, October 26, 2012. 
^[4] Salary, Wikipedia; Last accessed, October 25, 2012.

Salt of the Earth

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I have always been puzzled by Jesus’ words when he said, “You are the salt of the earth.”^[1] I have heard many explanations for this simple metaphor. Salts are crystals. Crystals have the special faculty of creating intriguing geometrical shapes and splitting the light to its full spectrum. It should be to no one’s surprise that this comparison would shine waves of colorful lights of interpretation. I would like to provide yet a new perspective, hidden in the many miles of a runner who has lots of time to think whether on the trail or on the pavement.

Araya Salt Mines, Sucre, Venezuela

My first experience with running and salt happened the first time I went on a run longer than one hour. When finished, I reached for my face to wipe out the sweat while stretching my back. As I moved my hands I scratched my face. It felt like a sandstorm had hit my skin unaware of its need of exfoliating. I did not know what happened. In only seconds I ran the route in my head to bring it back to memory. I did not run in the desert or the beach. There were no dunes or dust-lifting traffic. Surprised, I quickly looked into my hands for cues. It was… salt? I stared at it, it was salt. I tasted it on the tip of my tongue, it definitely was salt.

Salts are Crucial to Muscle Functions

Running for prolonged periods of time causes our bodies to lose salts along with sweat. In order to maintain a steady flow through our blood stream, many recommend that athletes take sports drinks and sports gels to ensure proper replacement.^[2] Having a steady supply of salts will ensure that muscles function steady as well, in perfect coordination, and free from irregular movements. Your run will look more like Big Ben than the clocks in Dali’s painting The Persistence of Memory.

As salt of the earth we are called to preserve some critical functions. We the salt synchronize the world by: practicing goodness, modeling generosity, keeping concord, fostering peace, helping growth, mediating progress, rescuing values, and loving God and our neighbor.

Salts are Temperature Regulators

Salt “helps athletes maintain a high blood volume, which in turn keeps body temperature and heart rate from rising.”^[3] Cooler body (in more than one way), and lower heart rates? What a winning formula! The dried salt in your face will not have you look cooler, but you will run cooler, easier, longer, and end with more energy. By the way, if you would like your water to be kept fresh during your runs, add a little salt to it.

As salt of the earth we are called to keep a high “blood of the Lamb” volume. This is mainly done through our consistent, dependable, and enduring presence. We the salt are here for the long run to keep the temperatures controlled. In the midst of a rising climate, be it in the office or at home, our temperament cools others down. We maintain a calm spirit, ease the hearts, and help everyone get over the hump. We are first to say to others: chill out, salt!

Salts are Electrical Conductors

Neither water nor fat conduct electricity. Saline solutions do. Think of your muscles like electric appliances wired with your nerves. They turn on and off by electric switches formed when salts dissolve in your body. These electric switches are called electrolytes.^[4] Insufficient levels of electrolytes lead to uncontrolled contractions causing muscle weakness and fatigue, injuries, and dreaded cramps.

As salt of the earth we act like electrolytes; solutions – not problems – that enable communication throughout. We salt are called to connect the lonely, activate the passive, enable the dysfunctional, support the challenged, turn off the overactive, and move us all forward.


We salt enable everyone to carry their own critical function in the exercise of their faith. We provide a place safe from relational injuries and spiritual cramps. Our mediatory properties get a world so broken, so divided, and so desperate for true connectedness with God and with one another going in concert. We are, or perhaps should be, this salt of the earth.

NOTES:

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^[1] Quoted from Matthew 5:13 NIV. The reference also appears in Mark 9:50 and Luke 14:34-35. Comparing the versions allows us to also see that salt was used to make peace, to make new covenants, and to make manure. They allude to the fact that salt is good for the earth, good for the economy, and good for the relationships. Yes. Like in the old days when you used to knock on your neighbors front door to ask for salt.
^[2] We not only lose salt in its more common form of table salt or Sodium Chloride, but we also lose Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. These salts are readily available in a variety of foods but can get depleted really fast for endurance athletes who cannot eat enough while exercising. There is some disagreement on the topic of how much salt is lost and how much can be or should be ingested during longer periods of physical activity. I have found a good discussion on this at Kevin Sayers’ Ultra Running Website (http://www.ultrunr.com/sodium.html).
^[3] Fitzgerald, Matt, How much salt do you need while running?. Active.com. Last accessed, May 25, 2011.
^[4] Electrolyte, Wikipedia. Last accessed, May 25, 2011.

Vladimir Lugo

Run Your Own Race

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The Christian walk cannot be compared to a sprint race; rather, it is more like an ultra-marathon. I was not really interested in running and the idea of actually running a half- or a full marathon had never entered my head until 2009. In the beginning of that year, I started my current job, which was located about 45 miles from home, so I had to car-pool. One of my co-workers and car-pool buddies, Vladimir, is a Christian and a running fanatic. He often talked about how running a marathon is akin to the Christian walk. At that time he was giving a talk on Heb. 12:1-3 which says:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (NIV).

I still didn’t see myself as a runner or considered running a marathon. The idea of walking to stay in shape was more appealing.

A few months later, I moved closer to work, but the seed was planted. The thought of running did not cross my mind until a year ago when one of our church deacons ran the L.A. marathon. Looking at him, you would not be able to tell that he would be able to finish a marathon. So I thought to myself: if he can do it, I can run at least a few miles. Around May 2010, I decided to give running a try. Vladimir guided me into some of the basics, from buying a good pair of shoes to stretching and to run-walk to build up the leg muscles. I remember going for a run during lunch time, having to walk the last ¾ of a mile because I ran out of steam. Vladimir, along with another co-worker, continued to encourage me on my new running endeavor. This past march, I was able to run five miles, so I decided to register for a half-marathon taking place in Pasadena, California.

Vladimir had put together a team of 14 people running under the team name "Race of Faith". For this event, participants needed to pick up a kit that contained a t-shirt, a bib (with your assigned number), and a RFID tag that goes attached to the participant’s running shoe, allowing the race organizers to ensure that you have run the race and track your official times. I asked Vladimir to pick up the race kit for me so that he could give it to me on race day. Also, I asked Vladimir’s brother who lives close to me and was also participating, to give me a ride to and from the event. The day before, Vladimir called me to encourage me and to let me know that he had collected my kit. We made arrangements to meet at a restaurant close to the starting line.

On the day of the event we were supposed to get on the road very early because Vladimir’s sister in law was participating in the bicycle tour that started 45 minutes earlier than the half-marathon. So I was picked up at 5:00 a.m. From then until the race started, there ensued a comedy of errors. We parked about three miles away from the event, as the roads nearby were closed. I left my phone in the car thinking Vladimir’s brother would be there with me. He had to take his wife's bicycle to the venue so he rode off once we parked. And so it was 5:45 a.m., and I was running about three miles to the starting line because the start time was 6:30.

In all the confusion, I forgot the name of the meeting point. How would I get in touch with Vladimir to pick up my bib and RFID tag? I asked a person who looked like he would help me, and asked to use his cell phone. He asked me for the phone number, but I had forgotten Vladimir's number, which was recorded on my cell phone. I tried calling his home, but it was going to voicemail. At that instant, I thought the official race was over for me. I put my head down and said "Lord, your will be done." There is no way I’m going to find Vladimir in a crowd of more than 8,000 people. Then, at that instant, I turned around as I heard a voice calling my name "Sylvester, I have your kit!”. It was Vladimir and his wife who were also looking for me. I was a block away from our meeting place. Once again I had relied on a miracle and God had provided it at the perfect time.

We had just enough time to get the bib on the shirt and the RFID tag for on my shoes. One of the Race of Faith team members, Julio, accompanied me to check in my bag. Julio and I started about six minutes after the official start of the race. Julio's presence comforted me that I was not alone. It rained heavily at the beginning of the event and then it slowed to a drizzle; but soon after, it was a perfect day for running. I was able to run the entire distance in 2:24:12. Later on, I found out that another co-worker and I, though we had not started nor raced together, had a finish time one second apart from mine. At the finish line, there were many people welcoming the finishers and putting medals on them.

Looking back now, I see how the half-marathon was very much like life in the Lord. I had messed up big time and just as I was about to give up, a miracle happened when I least expected it. I realized that just as I had a unique bib number and RFID tag, I am unique. I have a unique race to run. I have a unique place reserved from me in heaven with my name on it. I had unknown people encouraging me when I was tired and listening to their cheering made me want to run and finish just like Hebrews 12 describes. There were different companions at different phases of the race. Julio was with me until mile eight.

I told Julio to go ahead of me, and other unknown runners were my companions until the finish line. The Christian race is not to be run in isolation. We count with those who preceded us, those who cheer us up along the way, and even those who run with us to keep us honest to our goals.

I hope that you have a similar experience in your marathon of life. One day I hope I can say, just like Paul did: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness" (NIV: 2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Sylvester Creado

A Just Race

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On Sunday, November 7, 2010, Chilean miner Edison Peña finished the New York City ING Marathon in 5:40:51 hours. Peña, 34, was one of the 33 miners trapped inside the gold and copper mine, located in the Atacama Desert, for 69 days. He managed to run loops of 3 to 6 miles through tunnels 2,000 feet below the surface, wearing sawed-off miner’s boots, in temperatures up to 90 °F. He ran attached to a rock sled to make his training even more difficult. Media services around the world have covered his captivating story. For Peña, participating in the NYC Marathon was more than just a lofty goal. It was more than just a race. He ran for his life; a life that the world did not even know still existed during the first 17 days underground. Like Edison Peña, we are all participating in a race. It is a race for our lives, and it is a race for life. It is also a race of faith.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (NIV: Philippians 3:13-14).

In my previous article, A Just Arbiter, I used this passage in Philippians to talk about the qualities of the race from the perspective of the arbitrating authorities. The winner of the race is determined by the decision of the referees and the race organizers. Let us now take a moment to reflect on the qualities of the race itself; recognizing that our race is not just a race, it is also a just race.

Without Pretentions
Notice the words, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” We should not be conceited about having reached perfection, having completed our race, or having fulfilled all that is expected of us. In previous verses, Paul gives us a list of things he could have been proud of but was not: religion, ethnicity, family name, ancestry, education, job, or morality. He actually considered all these loss, even garbage, compared with the level of perfection – meaning work completeness, growth, mental state, and moral stature – found in Christ.

If we want to run a just race, we should not boast about the success we have not reached. We should not be ostentatious about those things we have not fully acquired; including those we are making payments on. We should not be pompous about the person we have not yet become, or pretend to be someone we are not.

Without Past
One thing I noticed at a recent loop marathon is that as soon as the last group of runners took off, race workers rotated the structure marking the Starting line around and made it into the Finish line. It probably took them less than five minutes. This taught me a great lesson: The starting line is well past gone and only the finish line remains. Once you start your race – and you have – your start is your point of no return. The past is past. If only we could learn this lesson! I have met many people who live in the past. They have not been able to get over their failures, their buried feelings that make them bitter, or their nostalgia for the times gone. Some are even stuck in their previous successes, as if these were anchors instead of oars.

Paul said it this way: “Forgetting what is behind.” If we want to run a just race, we should let go of our previous mistakes and sins. We should not stall at our past fears. We should not feed on our past glories and graces. For a reason, “God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning” (Message: Lamentations 3:22-23b).

With Projection
There is a remarkable shift in this list of withs and withouts. Note how the withouts correspond to the mind. The next two withs are actions that will get you moving forward. The lesson is this: Once you fix your attitude you can fix your actions. Some people want to run their races carrying extra weight in the sled of their attitudes. This might be good for training but certainly not for racing. Fixing your mind will let you glide, now it is time to get your propellers and move forward; in other words, stand up and run; stop thinking about and do it. Peña said. “I struggled with myself, I struggled with my own pain, but I made it to the finish line. I want to motivate other people to also find the courage and strength to transcend their own pain.”[1]

If we want to run a just race, we should honor the award set before us – the prize of God’s supreme calling. We should respect the revelation we have received. We should keep those qualities and abilities we have already attained and the character we have already shaped. We should put effort “straining toward what is ahead.”

With Perseverance
Another great lesson of a marathon, there are no shortcuts. You wear a race chip on your shoe so that the arbiters make sure you cross the farthest points of the route. Paul knew this when he wrote, “I press on toward the goal.” The Greek word for goal is scopos, and it literally means a milestone or road-marker, just as in a race. It also means watchman, someone that is making sure you cross the farthest points of your race. And Someone is. In an interview reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, Edison Peña said “I wanted to communicate with God to tell him: ‘This is how much I wanted to live.’ I wanted him an active participant in my own salvation. I wanted to beat the mine desperately; I wanted to show the mine that it would be just tired of me.”[2] You keep that attitude and God will surely listen.

When I was a child, I remember playing the game of finding the scopos on the road during a long trip. The more you could find, the more points you could get to win. Now as an adult, I have learned that the same is true, and accumulating points is the essence of perseverance. If we want to run a just race, we should set up reachable goals and press onto them. Someone once said: “There are no impossible goals, only unable ones.” We should persist to reach our maturity. We should persevere to become who we need to be.

[1] “Chilean miner Edison Pena toughs out NYC Marathon,” San Francisco Chronicle [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hottopics/detail?entry_id=76565] Last accessed November 08, 2010.
[2] Ibid.

Vladimir Lugo

A Just Arbiter

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On July 11, 2010, the 19th FIFA World Cup ended. For the first time since 1930, Spain had gotten through to the finals and became champions. Big-time news circled to millions of fans around the globe instantly, thanks to the miracle of modern television, thought to be by many, a just arbiter.

This year’s event highlighted the poor performance of old time favorite teams like Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and England; the poor execution of celebrity players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Leonel Messi, Kaka, Thierry Henry, and Fernando “El Niño” Torres; but more importantly, the poor judgment and short-sightedness of the arbitrate. Many joked around saying that the only umpire that performed extraordinarily well was Paul der Krake. His accurate predictions got him the Spanish citizenship, after choosing Spain over the Netherlands in the final match.

Many of you may be wondering why I am writing about soccer on our blog about running. If you have participated in or been a fan of any sport, you will agree with me: nothing more disheartening, discomforting, frustrating, and even infuriating than a rough referee. You know the feeling in the face of unfairness, discrimination, predilection, blindness, prejudice, corruption, and sometimes even bribe. The Bible has a lot to say about injustice and its consequences. Consider for example the following passage in the metaphorical context of a running match:

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (NIV: Philippians 3:13-14).

A Righteous Prize

You may be familiar with the picture: the runner’s chest straining forward and pressing on to break the finish band. Finishing the race. Winning the prize. You may be thinking, “Well, if you cross the finish line, you are a winner.” Let me tell you, not necessarily. You are only a winner when you have run a fair race and when the race officials accept your performance as valid. In other words, you are only a winner by the authority of the race organizers and its representatives. The match referees have the last word. What does this have to do with justice?

As you probably know, this passage was originally written by Paul the Apostle in the Greek language. The Greek word usually translated as “prize” is brabeion, and literally means the decision of the arbiter or brabeus, also from the Greek. In ancient day, the prize for finishing a race was a crown of olive leaves. This certainly did not have any monetary value since it decayed after several days. It only had symbolic value. The real prize was to be called out from the multitude into the podium by the arbiter. Being singled out as a winner by the referee was the epitome of success. The calling was the righteous prize.

A Righteous Judge

Read the passage again under this new light. Hopefully you can see now its relationship with justice. Justice is made perfect in God. His prize is his calling. His podium is heaven. His measure is running the race of faith. His rule is Christ. To this effect, Paul even says a few verses before:

“I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness” (NIV: Philippians 3:9)

God is a just arbiter. He is not blindsided. He is not nearsighted. He cannot be bribed. He does not overlook your play. He pays attention to your run. He does not need consultation to know what is fair. He is not in need of television replay.

In 2008, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: “Let it be as it is and let's leave (soccer) with errors. The television companies will have the right to say (the referee) was right or wrong, but still the referee makes the decision — a man, not a machine."^* Human error may be part of your game. Human mistakes have affected your race of faith. Perhaps you have been subject to the injustices of our skewed legal system. You may be living the consequences of bad decisions made by judges, who were convinced by the manipulations of evil attorneys. Or perhaps you have done wrong in the past and you think you deserve what you got. Remember: “God is a righteous judge” (NIV: Psalm 7:11). He is looking over you and he is on your side if only you could trust Him.

A Righteous Runner

God always makes good calls. The most important of his calls: having called you onto the podium to give you your prize. In the world of sports, if the authority calls you the champion, you are. God himself calls you a winner, and if he calls you a winner, you are. It does not matter what other things you may be called by many others. It does not even matter what you call yourself. You have been made righteous in God’s eyes. You are a righteous runner because God has called you so.

It was irrelevant what anybody thought about Spain walking up to the stage. Some did not like it. Some did not care. However, when the FIFA president recognized the new champions and gave them the World Cup, it was captivating. “Come up to the stage!” says God, “and receive your prize.” Trust in God and things will turn in your favor. “The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that's the real life” (The Message: Galatians 3:11).

^[*] FIFA Halts Instant Replay Experiment, CBC Sports [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2008/03/08/fifa-instant-replay.html] Last accessed September 30, 2010.

Vladimir Lugo

Carpe Diem

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It was a beautiful late spring morning, perfect for running in Southern Cal. I woke up late for a run before going to work; a mile into the route, dawn was peeking through that blue and gray haze of most mornings between May and October.

I started running at a slow pace, slower than marathon pace, in fact. The San Bernardino Mountains were in sight. The black silhouette of the mountains pasted over that hue of the sky appeared as though it had been drawn by an artist with charcoal over a canvas.

Near the end of the first mile, I noticed a row of palm trees behind a park on the left side of the street. Five or six of them towered elegantly on the horizon, each at least 25 feet high, the quintessential background of the L.A. skyline. The broad, lush trees that line up both sides of the street create a canopy that gives continuous shade to several city blocks. No cars were on the road that early morning, so I was able to run undisturbed, interrupted only by the sound of birds chirping while sitting atop the canopy, and the sound of water sprinklers spreading life over the manicured lawns of this quiet neighborhood.

At about the fourth mile, there is a Catholic school, built on brick, with the architectural style of an east-coast university; next to it, there is a small chapel. There are five trees lined up along the front of the school; they resemble Japanese cherry-blossoms. At that time of spring, they are full of small lilac and pink flowers, and the contrast of the colored leaves against the red of the building was worth a photograph. It was close to 6 a.m. by the end of my workout, but both the sun and a waning moon were hanging out up above. The thoughts from those images filled me with joy and peace the rest of the day.

And then, something struck me. You see, my discovery on this particular morning as I neared the end of that familiar route is that I had observed the scenery with such detail. I found myself paying attention, and realized something deeper: I have run, walked, cycled, or driven on this street hundreds of times! Why didn't I notice the canopy of trees or the moon at dawn before?

How many times do we fail to pay attention to the beauty of our familiar, every day surroundings? In our hectic schedules, trying to "live" our busy lives, we get caught up for weeks on end - without paying attention. So often we miss the fact every day is a chance to contemplate creation, regardless of your route, independent of your routine, and especially, if you are in a spiritual rut.

"The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:23-24 NIV.

It is easy to pay attention to the scenery when one is running through unfamiliar streets, a new trail, or when out and about during a trip. We can make the argument that if the ipod is on, or we have a running buddy, both would surely be a distraction. But after so many instances of running the same streets, one should know all the wonders that lie along the route.

Give yourself a few moments today for your senses to be in the awe of a new day, in the palpable evidence that our divine creator exists. I guarantee you will be amazed at what you discover, and the joy of "seizing the day" would likely last you until the next one.

Jairo Ospina

The Source of Power

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In February 2010, I ran my first marathon. The atmosphere was charged with excitement when over 20,000 runners were taking their lineups. As I waited at the starting line, I could not help but think about the amount of hours invested by runners leading into the event. As I impatiently waited, I was trying to do the math, but I could not concentrate in anything else but the sound of the gun. I did the math later on with a clear head, in case you were wondering. I had been training 120 miles per month, on average, for the four months previous to the race; at 9.5 average minutes per mile, this is equivalent to over 75 hours of running. Assuming all runners had trained at a similar pace and schedule, this number would amount to more than 1.5 million hours, or 62,500 days, or over 170 years of collective preparatory running.

For the past four articles, we have been exploring the concepts of the power and the source. We have established that the power to complete a challenging race like a marathon comes from the small, invisible, and sometimes secret things we do during our training. These include not only logging more miles, but also things like feeding on the right foods and cross-training. The marathoners did certainly fill the headlines of the local newspapers, but no article made any reference to the invisible 170 years of collective running that gave the runners such a power to compete and also filled the air with exhilarating joy, expectation, and hope.

Eat, and eat often
Going into the race, I asked a co-worker who has completed over 200 competitive events for last minute advice. He said, “Eat, and eat often.” Back at the starting line, his words had filled my mind, forcing out my unsuccessful math calculations. I shouted them out in terror to my brother, who was standing close by: “I forgot all of my food! No breakfast. No snacks for the road. Not a thing!”

I had forgotten my source of power. Blame it on my pre-race anxiety, my age and predisposition to forget everything (since everybody seems to blame aging for their forgetfulness), or my lack of experience. I felt prepared to run but not for the lack of food. Deep inside, I knew this was going to bill me later. And later came around mile 18, when my energy level crashed dramatically. I had hit the wall. For the following four miles, I became a beggar, asking for food to all passing runners, spectators, bystander residents, and even the road: perhaps somebody dropped some unfinished cracker. I had never felt so starved in my entire life.

I sometimes hear people complain about going so often to church, prayer meeting, or bible study. If you think that attending church for Easter, Mother’s Day, and Christmas is enough, try running a marathon on that same eating schedule. We need our regular supply of spiritual fuel to get us through. And regular means often; and often means at least daily. When asked by his followers to teach them how to pray, Jesus said: “Give us each day our daily bread” (NIV: Luke 11:3). When tempted to give up, he also reminded us: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (NIV: Matthew 4:4). Never forget your spiritual source. “Eat, and eat often” was the key to my weight loss and better health. It could have been the key for better performance in my first marathon, but it is certainly the key for a healthier, stronger, and more lasting race of faith.

Eat your own provisions
Provision came around late mile 22. The event had official water stations throughout the route but no solid food until the last race turnaround. By then I was so desperate, I pushed four energy cookies into my mouth. I filled it up so badly that I could not breathe. Therefore, I could not run. For the first time in the race I had lost my pace. I had started to walk to be able to feed myself as all race pacers went by me, or at least I thought so. This was the part were “often” made sense. I should not had waited this long.

I had relied on somebody else’s source of power. I thought I was going to find the same amount and types of foods during the race based on my experience from the half marathon I ran the previous year. This year, it was a different race and I was not ready. All my brother had to offer me at the starting line was a gel pack. Thank you brother! I appreciate it, but it only got me through the first hour.

Do not depend on others to fill you up, emotionally or otherwise. I have met people that need the constant approval, constant rapport, and constant assent from others to feel in power, feel satisfied or safe, or even feel they are valuable. Your worth does not depend on what others think of you, but on what God thinks of you. Also, do not depend on what the road has to offer. Our walk in life is filled with all kinds of challenges. Do not let broken relationships, parenting a teenager, unemployment or new employment, or changes in your physical condition due to age or disease, dictate your source. “God is [always] a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him” (TM: Psalm 46:1). Others can pray, but do you pray? Others can teach you, but do you study on your own? Make God your source and make sure you yourself come to him regularly for a constant supply of good, because “whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father” (NLT: James 1:17).

Eat while you train
By now you are probably wondering: “Did you finish?” My running partner once told me: “Your only goal for the first marathon is to finish.” So I did. I finished stronger than I had started and was able to push myself through the finish line thinking about my next race and racing my brother to the car. My demanding self knows that I could have done better. Reflecting back on my experience, I realized something very critical:

I had not trained in sourcing my power. I did not make it a habit to train while eating, much less to eat while training. Except for my longer runs, when I trained over 18 miles, I carried only water, not fuel. I did not know what was good for my body during training, and you have to train yourself into eating, and eating often, so that it comes naturally when you are competing. Make sure you test different foods (fruits, protein, granola, or whole wheat breads), in different presentations (gels, pills, gummy bears, or bars), during different types of training. A basal metabolic rate of 2,000 calories a day suggests that your body will be able to process 240 to 280 calories per hour during training, depending on intensity and your weight. You have to replenish them every hour for better performance and to guarantee a steady supply of power.¹

It is all about conditioning. Get yourself conditioned on the invisible things of the spirit so that you come through strong when tested. Jesus promised: “Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life” (TM: John 4:14). John Piper once said:

[God] is energy. He is power. His personality is radiant with infinite energy. He never needs recharging. He never needs a backup system. There is nothing for him to plug into. Everything in the universe plugs into him.²

If we lived plugged into him, we will have access to his inexhaustible source of power.

^NOTES

---

^[1] For an example, see The 10 Biggest Mistakes Endurance Athletes Make, by Hammer Nutrition, Last accessed: June 04, 2010
(http://www.hammernutrition.com/hnt/1273/).
^[2] Piper, John, “I Am Who I Am” says the Lord, Piper’s Notes, Last accessed: June 04, 2010
(http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper84/091684m.htm).

Vladimir Lugo

The Source of the Secret

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In February of last year, my wife and I spent a few days in the gorgeous city of Boston. The day we arrived, the weather was great, with a maximum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and clear skies. By the last day of our trip, though, the sunny skies we had smuggled in our luggage from California had disappeared. The temperature had dropped to the more normal 20’s and there was plenty of snow on the ground. As we were browsing through the aisles of a downtown store that white morning, wearing all the appropriate gear we usually reserve for skiing in California, a couple walked by us wearing running clothes.

It was obvious from their blushed faces and wet tennis shoes they had just finished a morning run. My wife could barely hold her question to me for more than a few moments: "How can those two crazy people possibly go out for a run in this weather?" Mind you, we have lived in Southern California for more than 20 years and grew up in tropical countries. When the California temperature drops to 60 degrees, it is a good enough excuse to style scarves and beanies!

Hearing about athletes that train daily at 4 a.m. or do so in extreme weather conditions is not new or extraordinary - though it may sound crazy to some. In committing to a race, most people will say that you simply need to fit your training into the rest of your life. On the other hand, some folks don’t have much of a choice: if they live in the Midwest and are training to run a marathon in March, they need to log some long miles in the winter.

And then there are those who train and compete in truly taxing circumstances, overcoming significant barriers transcending the weather or geography. The number of marathon and Ironman^© event participants with disabilities or recovering from debilitating diseases appears to be rising. In our last article, the power of the secret was unveiled; what do you suppose the ‘source’ of “D” is for this last group of brave participants?

The source of the secret may be captured in one word: Desire. Take away the Desire in any endeavor, and it is not only virtually impossible to see it through, it is bound to languish, turning into just a routine we follow. The more challenging the contest, the higher the prize or place you seek in the podium of victors, the greater your Desire must be.

Is one of your endeavors to have God in your life permanently? Do you yearn for Him to be in every aspect of your walk? Deuteronomy 4:29 puts it like this: "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Let’s see how Desire fits with the four dimensions of Christian discipline:

1. Prayer (Training)
If you desire Christ in your life, and combine that with disciplined prayer, there is no reason you won’t be closer to Him. An interesting relationship develops here, though: you must desire communication with Him, but you pray about His desires for your life.

2. Reading Scripture (Nutrition)
Your craving for the Word should prompt you to read the Bible more frequently and to seek His wisdom (or simply put, to eat more of the 'right' nutrients) to sustain your training in spiritual growth.

3. Fasting (Self-control)
Aspiring to live a righteous life with God will allow you to control your appetite for those things you know are bad habits and distractions away from your training.

4. Reflection, Service, and Worship (Cross-training)
Wanting to live a full Christian life must involve the desire to serve, the inner need to delve deeper into the Scripture, and the hunger for worshipping.

GOD, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is (AB: Psalm 63:1).

The persistent desire to have the Lord in your life should drive you crazy (in the good sense of the word, of course!); it should fuel your willingness to get up a half hour earlier each morning to study scripture, as well as fuel your commitment to skip Friday night out for serving at church.

Now that you know the source of the Discipline, ask yourself: how much do I truly desire Christ to be in my life?

Jairo Ospina

The Source of the Invisible

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Some important questions remained unanswered from my previous article, The Power of the Invisible. These are questions that I normally get from beginner runners and people who just started an exercise program. They ask, “Why is it that I do not have energy?” “Why am I not strong enough?” or “Why do I not recover as fast after a long run as I should?” I would like to propose an idea with the intention to not oversimplify such complex subject, but to point to at least one possible direction.

It is a matter of going to the right sources. Many of our bodies’ critical processes are sustained on and optimized by what we eat. A balanced diet that includes the right type of foods and supplements will fuel the body for its best functioning. Let me explain by following the same topics discussed in the previous article.

ATP gives you energy
Phosphorus, the basic element of Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP, is the second-most abundant mineral in the body – second to Calcium, and we need to ensure the body a steady supply of it through proper nutrition. ATP is synthesized from all three major food groups and therefore another good reason why we should eat a balanced diet. Make sure to include carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, proteins from beans and dairy products, and fat, especially from sources rich in fatty acids like fish, nuts and seeds. Do this and you will have a sustained level of ATP energy throughout the day.

D grows you stronger
Vitamin D is produced naturally by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the Sun. Running is a great source of Vitamin D. Fifteen minutes of sun exposure, three times a week, can produce the daily recommended dosage of 1000-3000 IU. Other sources include Vitamin D fortified milk and soy products, canned fish, and all dark greens, especially spinach. The best vegetable source is mushrooms, providing 400 IU per serving. Good levels of Vitamin D will make your bones and muscles stronger. So, it is true: run, eat your spinach and mushrooms, and you will be strong as Popeye.

EGCG gets you protected
Many antioxidants like Epigallocatechin Gellate or EGCG help your immune system maintain a high level of protection and fast recovery from cellular damage, muscular and otherwise. Drink lots of EGCG-rich green tea. It “lowers cholesterol, helps with weight loss, and protects skin from sun damage”1 as you take in your Vitamin D while running. Other antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, and other food sources include wild berries, whole grains, beans, spinach and cabbage. Nutritional supplements are also recommended to increase our daily intake of antioxidants.

Invisible Sources
As we have identified the sources of ATP, D, and EGCG, the same concept applies to our spiritual race of faith. We must ask the questions: How do we obtain the unseen things of the Spirit? Where do we acquire the invisible gear we ought to carry in our race of faith? What is the source of the spiritual values that propel us, strengthen us, and protect us? If I follow my own trails from the previous article in quoting 1 Thessalonians 1:3, how do we obtain faith? How do we obtain love? How do we obtain hope?

The source of faith. Faith depends on fulfilling promises. You know you will be paid this Friday because your employer promised to pay you every other week and has done so for the past four years. You know you will obtain a degree from the university you are attending if you complete all academic requirements because they have guaranteed the graduation promise for over fifty years. Our faith in God also depends on His promises. This is exactly why St. Paul wrote, “So then the faith is by a report, and the report through a saying of God” (YLT: Romans 10:17). God’s sayings are true. Report has it that He has done a great job fulfilling his promises in the past. He will continue to do so in the future. We nourish our race of faith by a daily dose of God’s word.

“…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (NIV: Deuteronomy 8:3).

The source of love. Love depends on satisfying relationships. You know that sharing with your spouse tender words and acts of respect and admiration will strengthen your love relationship. You know that your friend in the hospital will appreciate you even more for being there when he or she needed you most. You can even gain new unexpected friends if you follow Jesus’ advice to “…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, [and] pray for those who mistreat you” (NIV: Luke 6:27-28). Remember that God is love, and our love is possible because he loved us first. We nourish our race of love by sharing with him tender words and acts of respect and admiration and by attending to the needy.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and Love your neighbor as yourself.” (NIV: Mark 12:30, 31)

The source of hope. Hope depends on rewarding plans. You can plan progress in your work by acquiring job skills that will make you more valuable. You can make plans to improve your health, for example, by watching what you eat and including ATP, D, and EGCG sources in your diet. Plans are necessary to direct you, to inspire you, and to help you reach your potential. God also has plans for your life. Discovering them is your adventure. We nourish our race of hope by searching God and understanding the plans he has in store for us. He has promised:

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV: Jeremiah 29:11).

Remember, practice makes perfect. This is even true when we practice the invisible virtues of the spirit. Abide in the promise that God has good plans for you. This will help you exercise your faith, love, and hope and your energy, strength, and endurance will multiply.

^[1] Kidder, David S., et. Al., Epigallocatachin Gallate, The Intellectual Devotional Health (Rodale Books).

Vladimir Lugo

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