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Running with All Your Might

by Jerry Ousley  
11/01/2013 / Christian Living

There was a day when I loved to run. I was a small skinny kid back then though you wouldn't believe it to see me now, and I suppose my light weight body allowed me to really "pick them up and put the down." The years take their toll and I'd have to be in trouble or in a really big hurry to run now.

My brother and his wife were telling me a story about one of their grandsons the other day. If I remember it correctly, he is a fast runner. It seems that his older brother (who is in middle school) was on the track team. After the meets were over, the school had adopted the practice of having a free-for-all race. That meant that any of the kids who wanted to run could participate in a final race around the track. There were no trophies because it was all for fun, but the victor would have the bragging rights.

The kids all lined up, the starting gun fired and they were off like rockets. Some of the kids on the track team were in the race as well and most just knew that because of their training they'd out-run all the rest (and if I were a betting man I'd put my money on the fact that the coach had told them they had better not let non-track members beat them). Anyway my grand-nephew, who was in Kindergarten, decided he wanted to run after the others had already started. "Go ahead if you want to," he was told and that little sandy-haired boy was off like a wild horse.

Well, even getting a late start and dressed in his street clothes, that little fellow caught the pack and passed most, nearly winning the race! He passed those middle school track members just like he did all the other kids. I was simply amazed! And I'll say that the coach will be keeping a close eye on him as he moves up through the grades.

In 2 Samuel 2:17-19 we read about the time after David had taken his anointed position as King. At that time he was king only over Judah. Abner, who had been the general under Saul, was now in command of the army of Israel under one of Saul's sons. In reality he had set Saul's son up as a puppet king and he was actually calling the shots. But David's army whipped up on them pretty good and Abner fled for his life.

There were three brothers in David's army, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. The youngest, Asahel, was a runner. The Bible describes him as being as fast as a wild gazelle. He chased after Abner and soon was closing in on his heels. Abner nearly begged him to stop chasing him but we read that Asahel would not quit in his attempt to put the Energizer Bunny to shame, and just kept on going!

We've got to remember that at the time Asahel was not well known. He was just another man in David's army. But he would not quit even though Abner was a seasoned soldier and general. He had set his mind to catch Abner regardless the consequences and he would not stop.

There's a lesson in the story of Asahel for us. We often think all our problems are going to be solved once we come to Christ. He is the miracle worker and serving Him should result in a life of ease, plenty and good health. What we find when we face reality is that often our lives become more difficult when we come to the Lord. "Shhhh," I hear someone saying. "Don't discourage them from coming to the Lord like that!" Well, facts are facts. It isn't always easier. Life doesn't suddenly produce us a magic lamp where all we have to do is pray and rub real hard to get what we want.

However, coming to the Lord does give us something far more important. We have the hope of eternal life, peace with God and a promise of a home in Heaven. We find a love that cannot be purchased by any amount of money. These are far more valuable than wealth, fame, and ease of life because they are the only things that can travel with us beyond human existence.

I tell you today be like Asahel. Never stop in your mission for God. Always keep running despite the odds. No matter how young or how old we may be, when it comes to the spiritual aspect, we can all be determined that no matter the consequences we will not give up and we can be as swift as a wild gazelle!

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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