There is a very real and powerful temptation for the 60,000 runners in the annual Peachtree Road Race. Along the 6.25 course there are a half a dozen fire hydrants sprinkling water on runners as they run and walk by. At first thought, the nice mist of water appears to be refreshing and cooling for the weary runner. But beware! A runner that has been soaked with water is not what he or she appears to be.
No one bothered to tell me on my first Peachtree that after running through the sprinklers my socks would be quite wet and I would end up with blisters on my feet. I only made that mistake one time. I have avoided running through the sprinklers every race since and I have never had another blister. Imagine that!
I may get rebuked for this but I also rarely ever stop for water while running the Peachtree. When I have stopped for water, I have ended up feeling very sluggish and wishing I had never gulped so much water. I know it is important to stay hydrated and to keep cool on hot days but the trade off is not always what it seems.
Over the years I have come to realize that I never run through sprinklers or grab cups of water when I am training in the weeks leading up to the big race. So, why on race day would I change how I run? Do I change my routine that I have stayed with for weeks because someone else does it or because someone else tells me I should?
I hope you realize the sprinklers and cups of water that are available on the Peachtree Road Race represent all the temptations that come to those who are willing to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The sprinklers seem like a good thing. The cups of water appear to be helpful. The reality is the sprinklers and water cups can hurt your run.
Often times, a disciple of Jesus is tempted by things that appear to be good but in the “long run” actually slow you down and make the run more difficult. Beware of anything that slows you down in following Christ. Remember Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
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