Monday, July 11, 2005

Back to the Basics

For the past few mornings, I've had an opportunity to jog around my neighbourhood. I've always wanted to develop this habit of waking up early and going for a prayer-jog around my neighbourhood. It's just that I've been unwilling to kick my late nights... I thank God for making things easier for me. Now I know how great it feels, I won't want to be miss these mornings again.

One thing I find strange though. Despite the fresh air and just a 15-minute run, I find myself tired and my body is unwilling to run further... But I play soccer, man!! I'm a soccer player, the type that works hard and plays smart. I could run all over the football field for 1 and a half hours, but I can't run for 5 minutes more?

I guess in a game, I get all hyped up by the desire to win, the passion to be a team player, the adrenaline rush of creating a flow... Jogging though, whell, it's important and necessary for building up stamina for the real game. Yes, a well trained stamina sustains you through the extra time and protects you from injuries... All professionals spend much amount of time for warm up, building muscles, increasing stamina... They have to go through lots of practices and trainings. You skip training, and you're not included in the squad. But it's just some boring routine, coach... There's no one there to cheer you on, no one appaulding your fancy skills, no one admiring the strong muscles of your legs... It's just you and your training, and thus, a lack of drive and motivation... We prefer to go straight onto the field and showcase our talents, get appreciated and feel loved.

God, help me to focus on the basics - leaning on Your strength, resting in Your presence, knowing Your words and doing only the things You asked of me in Your timing. Help to die to myself and be less concerned with the cheers and acknowlegdement of men, which are momentary. Keep my eyes focused on the everlasting... Let my run be an overflow of my walk with You. I want to live my life for the Dream-Giver, not the dream...

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

How can we keep the game focus and motivation in our everyday jogs? That's a good question. I guess that's what perseverence is--sticking with it even when you don't feel like it. But part of me wants to believe that we can be excited about the everyday jog of life because we see and focus on how God is moving and how the Kingdom is being built all around us. It's all in what the goal is and where our focus is. Great post. By the way, I like "aunt V" That IS very cool.

Joash Chan said...

Yes, I believe that the everyday journey should be the most exciting part... In fact, I remember Jesus telling Martha in Luke 10 that it is all that matters...

Thanks for your comment. I think you completed my post.

Rebecca Ow said...

OIT....
I'm back in KL already cos' Uni started...
Hehe.... ya hor, stay near your place....

so i go said...

great post.. love how you turned this into a prayer and a reliance on His strength. beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I can presume that you are a very competitive person. It's great that you want to learn to play the guitar "very badly" and the phrase "I get all hyped up by the desire to win" give me the impression that u are a competitive person. Plan to lead worship and play the guitar? All the best! Be competitive in knowing His word too. As I presume u are a spiritual person. A leader I suppose in ur church? I pray that you'll grow to humble yourself and to lead in His grace and full of passion and "competitiveness" for His word. No, I'm not a prophet that knows all about you and "God told me this" <--- no no... Just an ordinary Christian. :)