Funny story. I'll start with just stating that I am not a 'runner.' Really. My one concern with the whole need to run is whether or not I could outrun a zombie apocalypse, if it indeed came to it. My mind was put to ease when I saw a picture of a house surrounded in treadmills. Zombie proof, and no need to run. Perfect.
I don't mind walking, I love dancing, hiking is wonderful, and pilates is surprisingly my thing. I will even use free weights and a kettle bell. I'm just not a runner. If you know me, you know that I have said this to you at least a hundred times.
So why, you might ask, did you sign up for a 5K in May? Not only did you sign up, but you created a team and signed your family up. And you might be kind of pressuring encouraging people to sign up with you. That is weird. And, yes, dear reader, I agree. It is weird. Though not as weird as I would like to think. Because here is the thing. God has been asking me to do an inventory of what He's given me. But there is more. He's been gently reminding me that I need to be willing to sacrifice those gifts and talents that for His purposes. Turns out that some of that is a lot of fun. I've been getting back to doing activities and hobbies that I really enjoy. If you read my post about where your gifts and your burdens collide, you'll know that some of my paradigm has been shifted...in a good way. All that to say, while it is a little scary to hand over my talents and the things I already excel at, what if I need to be doing more? What if I need to be doing something completely out of my comfort zone? Like running? Yes, like running.
My burdens have long been wrapped up in helping the vulnerable and marginalized. My eyes roam and seek out the invisible, and my heart breaks for the injustice that leaves so many of them suffering. I love seeing people freed from oppression - of all kinds. I first learned about human trafficking while studying to complete my major six years ago. I had to write a fifteen page paper on human trafficking in Italy, and in my research my eyes were opened to a world of suffering and captivity that I knew nothing about previously. I cried every day I went to class. I cried reading academic papers, even though they were full of academic jargon and so far removed from the people suffering. I care about these men, women, and children with a depth that sometimes surprises me.
Then I received an email from World Concern about their Free Them 5K in May. All proceeds go to help those enslaved.
I heard a whisper, "Do all you can with what you have been given."
I have been given body healthy enough to run, despite my lack of enthusiasm about the idea in the past. I've been given a burden to help people who are victims of human trafficking. So my burden is colliding with running because it is something I can do right now to help. I'm not an expert runner. I may end up walking with my 5 year-old. But I am willing to risk looking like a bit of a fool and jumping outside of my comfort zone because that is where miracles occur.
So if you are in the Seattle area on May 10th, and you'd like to come and run so others can LIVE FREE (Click Here for FREE THEM 5K information)- please join me! No, really. Please, do join me. If this girl who runs only when something is chasing her (think zombie) can do it, I am pretty sure you have a great shot at it. Our team is named Live Free, not just in honor of what I've been feeling is a theme for me this year, but also a word of faith that the people who are being held captive will be able to one day LIVE FREE, too. If you feel a burden for those caught in this web of human trafficking, you can donate to help us reach our $5000 goal. A few friends and I are already planning some great fundraisers, and I am so excited to see what God does with our gifts and talents as we lay them down to help others. Together, when we do small actions in great love, who knows the greatness of the outcome?
I designed a little graphic because I definitely need the reminder from time to time. Or everyday. Whichever.
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