sticking with it // even in the rain

I made a commitment beginning last Saturday that I would run/bike 2 miles a day everyday for the rest of the year since we canceled our gym membership. The bike part, no big deal for those days. But I knew I had to add running in there as biking can’t be my only form of exercise. Saturday and Sunday, no big deal…I rode, which is what I love.

Monday was a different story. After a very long day of meetings and planning and hanging out at Mellow with the small group, I found myself facing 8.45pm. Run time. I tried everything to talk myself out of it.

As I walked out the door at 8.45pm: drip….drip….dripdripdrip…dripdripdripdripdrip…”bottomfallingoutnoise.” I turned around and walked back inside. But I couldn’t quit. I had to hold fast, because I knew my commitment wasn’t fully about exercise. It’s also about working on my self-discipline which I’ve been lax on in every part of my life for some time now. So I ran in the rain.

Turns out. It was amazing. It was beautiful. One of those, this is a unique way to experience God occasions, having cool rain pour down on me and breathing in that beautiful fresh smell of rain.

As I ran, I thought about the people I serve with and the commitment they have to advancing the kingdom and leading people to know and serve Jesus.

Rusty who has pressed forward with a singular vision for over 10 years. Josh who is dedicated to helping people take next steps in discipleship and connecting in community. Jack who makes sure that we never slow down in giving people the best experience they can in every area so that they are not hindered in growing and always keep us moving forward. Lee who is committed to finding new and adventurous ways of raising up a next generation of leaders who will carry the vision forward while always pressing me to know what it means and live out being a true follower of Jesus. Amy who has continued to press in to a generation of teenagers leading them closer to Jesus. Michael who passionately (thankfully, cause I couldn’t) introduces children to a God who loves them week after week after week. Jill, who recognizes that you’re never to young to start learning about this Jesus who has given himself for us. Julia, Scott and Ashley who are working tirelessly to help us communicate in a myriad of different ways so that people see clearly how to join in this mission (don’t mess with the comm team, they are a force to be reckoned with). Lynn, who’s compassion level is always on high and is always ready to respond to crisis. April who brought a whole new level of excellence to leading people and continues to make me think on a daily basis about how I live and love people. Julia, Scott and Ashley who are working tirelessly to help us communicate in a myriad of different ways so that people see clearly how to join in this mission. Mark who is teaching me about raising men as he and his boys arrange, rearrange, rearrange and rearrange rooms, places chairs, replace, replace, resituate and resituate our worship space (that’s right). Franklin, who you might not see a lot, but he’s the guy that works some ridiculous hours to keep everything in this place working right (and then comes to my house to make sure I didn’t wire that fan wrong so that my house doesn’t burn down). Daniel who will work a good 60 hours a week to raise the level of production and is always and continually thinking about how to help people come to know Jesus through our Sunday experience.

And then there countless volunteer teams that plan for small groups, lead in worship, prepare refreshments and coffee on Sunday, perform dramas in Kidztown and teach 2 1/2 and 3 year olds and the list goes on and on and on.

And there’s the beautiful woman who I get to call my wife, Kristen. Who for 6 years, 4 months and 21 days (plus four and half years of dating) has committed to supporting me even when I’ve been a ridiculously awful husband more than I’ve been a decent one.

I’ve probably left someone out and I hate that because when I wanted to quit and give up in the rain, these people were on my mind, literally. Their commitment was driving me. How do you ever really thank all of them, parents who pray for you every day and are committed to bringing the gospel to those who’ve never heard? A brother and sister (and their husband and wife) who are committed to same goal that do life beside you. A small group who are always there moving forward with you.

And Jesus, who gave it all…

…even in the rain, I’ll keep running.