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Running with God

  • Jacqui Stahl
  • April 21, 2020
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Sitting at the small bistro table with a tasty lunch, the cool crisp air and the warm conversation with my husband refreshed my weary body. It had been an early morning filled with outdoor activities, and I was chilled to my bones. But now the sun’s rays poked through the color-splashed fall trees. Nearby, a small river bubbled and a gentle breeze whispered in my ears. I could feel the call of the running trails growing louder in my heart and head.

Out on the trails, my mind clears, my body discovers strength, and my spirit finds courage. The steady beat of my feet hitting the pavement, and the rhythm of my breathing, soothe and comfort uptight muscles, nerves, and emotions. Birds singing, squirrels chattering, and deer bounding through the underbrush are musical overtures which quiet my soul. It had been so long since I’d been able to run and I yearned to be back on the familiar trails. But the more I tried to ignore them beckoning to me, the more my attention drifted away from lunch and toward the woods where they lay.

 
A RUNNING HISTORY

Running and I have a long history together. It has been my primary means of releasing anger and processing the different seasons of life. In fact, it became an emotional and physical lifeline when my life fell apart as a young 20 year old, floundering to cope with a past filled with abuse. When the silence broke and the truth of my imperfect life was exposed, running became both my friend and my enemy. Day after day, and mile after mile, I pounded the pavement. I ran from my emotions. I ran from those who hurt me. Eventually, I ran myself into exhaustion. When a stress fracture in my foot meant throwing out my greatest emotional coping mechanism, suicide seemed to be my only option. But in that dark place, God found me.

God wasn’t new to me. I grew up in a church-going home and attended a parochial school. I knew the basic Bible stories, how to pray, and what was expected of a ‘good’ girl. In 2ndgrade, all I wanted for Christmas was a Bible. Even though my parents were clueless about where to find one and what translation to purchase, one found its way under our tree. I started reading it from the beginning—some parts were familiar, while others were harder to digest. But it was the book of Isaiah with its inspired words of comfort, worth, and love, that called to my young heart and drew me close to the Father. Verses like, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (43:1b), and “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you and I will rescue you” (46:4), were exactly what I needed to hear in the turmoil of my young abusive years—and a decade later when the abuse finally came to light.

When my foot recovered, I slowly began to run again. Running became cathartic and healing. But more than that, it brought a stillness to my soul—a peace that God was near. To run meant to feel God’s presence. Olympian and missionary Eric Liddell once said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” I understood his sentiment. Like him, I found the combination of nature and running to be a spiritual experience. It drew me into a place of listening and praying. It opened me to God’s voice and presence unlike any other time or place. Running was good for me in many ways.

But even good things can become idols.

 
A RUNNING CONFLICT

I continued to run in the years that followed my counseling and recovery. Running became a significant part of me; it defined me. I logged distances to train for college sports or to simply stay in shape. When children came along, I ran on a treadmill in the basement when they napped or played. When my husband was available to watch the munchkins, I headed out the door to find solitude or relieve stress. And when we moved into a house by one of the city bike trails, running wove its way into the fabric of my daily routine.

At first, I planned my early mornings around both Jesus and jogging. But the farther I ran, the more time was necessary to commit to my ‘hobby’. It wasn’t long before I struggled with prioritizing my love of running and my love of Jesus. One of them had to go.

Six days a week, I woke up before anyone else in the house stirred, spent 30 minutes reading my Bible, and then headed out the door for a run. On paper that sounds okay, but in my heart, it wasn’t. I never fully engaged in my devotions as I anticipated my morning runs. I constantly wondered: What’s the temperature outside? What should I wear? How far am I going? What kind of training run am I doing? Eventually, my early morning jaunts squeezed out my devotional time. Running—not Jesus—became my first love.

I was addicted. I logged my miles, my clothes, my diet, my shoes—all things runners care about. I devoured books and magazines pertaining to running techniques, gear, and training plans. I crossed a marathon off my bucket list, won a medal at a local race, and measured my friends by their athletic abilities. I strove to run better and further each day. I ate running. I breathed running. I slept running.

Then the unimaginable happened.

After running eight miles one Sunday in November, chronic disease entered my life overnight. By Wednesday, I was lucky to walk eight steps.

In the days and weeks of suffering that followed, I returned to Him who had sustained me through so much in the past. I reignited my passion for His Word and laid bare my heart in prayer. In the sleepless hours of the night, the book of Job and my tears kept me company. Though it sounds strange to say, it was beautiful. Running had sidetracked me from what mattered most. Now, I cherished the rich fellowship between the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and me.

In His great mercy, God sometimes takes away in order to give us what He knows is best for us. He knew I needed Him more than I needed my running. I’d had it backwards—thinking I needed my running more than I needed Him. In His wisdom, the Great Physician prescribed sitting at His feet. He alone brought the wholeness and healing I so desperately needed.

In His great mercy, God sometimes takes away in order to give us what He knows is best for us.

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Though time—albeit a long stretch of it—and the right medications put me back on my feet, I still face physical limitations due to rheumatoid arthritis. Running is not a given anymore. But God is. Like the apostle Paul, I can wholeheartedly say that the eternal spiritual blessing of a deep, rich relationship with Jesus far outweighs my earthly disappointment.

 
A RUNNING HOPE

God’s presence brings joy in the midst of trials, comfort during times of suffering, strength to persevere when weak, and hope in the face of fear. Hope grounded in Christ and His gift of eternal glory is the only hope that provides a firm and secure anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19). It is this hope that helps us put one foot in front of the other and run the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1)—diseased or otherwise.

Relearning to spend regular quality time with Jesus required much trial and error, but in the process I discovered practices that worked well for my temperament. Like a meal plan which needs variety to prevent boredom, our devotional life can benefit from being changed up from time to time. There is no reason to stay stuck in a rut for our quiet time, our worship, and our relationship with Christ. We have permission to keep it fresh and full of creativity.

Our quiet times also don’t need to be elaborate to be meaningful. My pastor shares regularly that his day begins with a chapter from the Bible, a chapter from a Christian book, and time spent journaling his prayers. It is a simple but profound rhythm for him. Likewise, there have been seasons in which reading a chapter from Proverbs each day of the month has been enough to engage my heart with God’s. But for me especially, being outside in the woods or alone on the trails draws me closer into God’s presence—sometimes I’ll pray through Scripture, worship with praise music, or listen to an audio-Bible on my phone as I walk. What matters is doing what works for me and honoring the way that God has wired me to connect with Him.

I’ve also learned to ask myself some specific questions on a quarterly basis.

When I look at my calendar, who or what is getting most of my time? My best time? If it’s not God and family, how can I change this?

What excuses have I used to explain why I can’t spend extended time with God? How can I eliminate these excuses?

Do any of my regularly occurring activities act as idols and keep me from committing to Jesus first and family second? Would it be wise to commit to a season of less activity so that I’m not torn between them and God?

Am I engaging with my spiritual temperament and the spiritual practices that work for me? What are some ways I can engage with them and schedule them into my life on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis?

Whatever form our devotional time takes, what is important is that it helps us to stay in the race set before us, running well, and never losing sight of our pacesetter—Christ, our First Love. Only by fixing our eyes on Him do we hold fast to hope and eternal life. Only by fixing our eyes on Him do we stay the course and finish the race well. Only by fixing our eyes on Him do we know the One who loves us, chooses us, heals us, calls us by name, and crowns us with righteousness. Run to Him. Run with Him. He will not disappoint.

Encourage other women by sharing this post.

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Jacqui Stahl

Jacqui has been married to her second love for 26 years. Together they have forged through health issues, raised four kids, and served as lay ministers in the local church. Jacqui still runs on occasion but is grateful to walk, hike, or bike regularly. No matter which activity she participates in, she still feels God's presence in the wind on her face.

8 comments
  1. Hester Vroon says:
    April 21, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    Very encouraging. So often I feel guilty not following a fixed rhythm
    Reading my Bible and prayer. God speaks to us in unique ways. I realise how big or small idols can prevent us from resting at His feet and to be still in His presence. I’m also a nature girl!

    Reply
    1. Jacqui Stahl says:
      April 21, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      Yes! It’s so important to remember we all draw close to God in different ways, isn’t it? It is freeing too, knowing our relationship with the Father doesn’t have to look the same as everyone else’s.

      Reply
  2. Vickie says:
    April 21, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    RA is certainly a game changer – so sorry to hear you’re a team member on an unwanted team! While I’ve dealt with this for 23 years, I must admit the pain and limitations have been a push toward God when I’ve allowed them to be. Blessings . . .

    Reply
    1. Jacqui Stahl says:
      April 21, 2020 at 7:56 pm

      Vickie, the initial flare was so difficult. It was hard for others to truly believe I was in so much pain when I looked “normal” on the outside. I’ve learned to listen to my body over the last 15 years and to keep stress as low as possible. Every loss from this disease has truly driven me to my knees. May God be our strength, friend, as we walk – or run – this path together.

      Reply
  3. Mary Hogan says:
    April 23, 2020 at 5:49 am

    Jacqui, this is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. So many very fond memories of you when you lived with us. Would love to see you again sometime. How are you and Roger doing, and your family?
    We are never done growing in our walk with the Lord, as he continually challenges us and pursues us, and perfect says as he continually does his work in our hearts and lives. God bless you today.

    Reply
    1. Jacqui Stahl says:
      April 23, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      Mary, I have fond memories of my time with you too. You’ll never know the impact you made by regularly telling me “Jesus loves you”. Thank you for opening your home during such a hard time and for living your faith out in front of me as a family. We are well and would love to see you if you come this way – I don’t make many trips East by car these days.

      This Christian life is certainly a journey with twists and turns – some of which I would not have chosen for myself. But in all things God is working together for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose. He is transforming us by every trial and sanctifying us with every opportunity. May we all be found faithful at the end. Blessings to you, Pat, and the kids!

      Reply
  4. Linda says:
    June 27, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Thank you for sharing. I could relate a lot to what you’ve said. Running is the thing I do for ‘me’. I used to run early mornings but now choose to spend that time in Gods presence, studying his word, worship and prayer. I just need to find balance in my life to fit running into my busy schedule during the other hours of the day. I have been contemplating signing up for an 50km marathon with friends but again I don’t want running to become a major priority. However I do like to have goals to assist with the motivation. Thanks again for sharing your testimony.

    Reply
  5. Jack Hamilton says:
    July 21, 2021 at 6:03 am

    Good Morning, Jacqui

    Twenty-eight years in ministry and I am still always amazed at how God speaks in the most unusual ways. The Holy Spirit brought me to your website, and after reading your story I know why. Such a wonderful testimony in the midst of distressing circumstances.

    From one Christian runner to another, thank you.

    God bless,

    Jack, Indiana

    Reply

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