It Really is a Great Day for a Run

S - Luke 22:35-38 (NLT): "Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler's bag, or extra clothing, did you lack anything?" "No," they replied. "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your clothes and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: `He was counted among those who were rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true." "Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us." "That's enough," he said."

O - With or without a purse the Lord Jesus has made it very clear that his followers are not to worry about daily food and clothes.  Not only are they to NOT worry they are to NOT run after them because their Father in heaven knows these needs and will meet them.  In fact, he makes the point that it is the pagans who run after these things not the children (cf. Luke 12). The real issue is not found in having or not having a purse or sword but in trust.  Can Jesus send me out without a purse and I will go?  Can the Lord access the purse that I have however he wishes?  Trust is a fierce personal loyalty and this is Jesus' point. He is and ever will be fiercely loyal to us and calls all to be fiercely loyal to him.  Money is a great touchstone for trust … for we cannot serve God and money.  We trust one and not the other, we love one and not the other, and we cling to one and not the other.  Running to is the cadence of his kingdom. Running after is really running away.

A - Jan and I have lived this dynamic out both ways, with and without a purse.  It is interesting that the temptation to worry and run after is present in both scenarios. In both scenarios the remedy is the same … fierce personal loyalty to Jesus.  In both scenarios the purse vies for the loyalty only Jesus is worthy of.  In both scenarios we run.  The question is are we running to him or after the things we need?  I've learned I can be afraid with and without a purse.  King David offers the best response to this very human emotion.  The time I am afraid, I will trust in him.  That's the course I'm going to run and I'm looking for others who are doing the same; it’s always a better run together.

P - Lord who loves us,
Thank you for your promises and your care of our daily bread lives.  I admit that with and without a purse my limitations are more apparent and my propensity to worry increases.  The only change is in my awareness of limitations, not my actual capacity.  Lord, since I am always radically unable and limited and since you never are and since you want into all of life I throw open the doors of my heart and this day to you alone.  I want to run to you and with you.  I thank you for being the God of daily bread and for your fierce personal loyalty to me/us.  I turn to you in fierce personal loyalty and say, the time I am afraid I will trust in you!
Looking forward to the run,
Steve