Spiritual discipline

Matt and I have worked out a flexible morning schedule that allows me to go for a run before he leaves for work. He leaves the house around 6:50 am. Consequently, I am up at 5:45am, out the door by 6am and back at home by 6:45am. Surprisingly, getting up and out of bed hasn't been as difficult as I thought. The dark, cold mornings haven't deterred me either...in fact, in the last two weeks, I haven't missed a day of my 4-runs-a-week goal (not all of these have been early morning workouts...I work a run/walk into the day if it doesn't happen in the morning).

I am partly motivated by the upcoming trip to Hawaii - I'd like to feel comfortable in my two piece swim suit. But, I am mostly motivated by the enjoyment of exercise and being alone with my iPod and the sunrise. In fact, last week, one of my early morning runs proved to be quite moving.
I had the luxury of leaving the house at 6:45am to run - it was a Friday and Matt decided to start work at 8am - the sun had almost risen and there was light enough to run a route the earlier morning darkness normally prevents me from doing. So, rather than pounding the pavement illuminated by street lights, I enjoyed a trail surrounded by green grass and small ponds, lit by the sun. What a glorious morning!

About half way through my run, my iPod shuffled to a Rich Mullins song titled "The Color Green". All around me was solitude, the soft colors of dawn, the silhouettes of the many mountain ranges surrounding our town, and Rich Mullins was singing this praise song to God:

Be praised for all Your tenderness by these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green that fills these fields with praise

Exhilarated, out-of-breath, overcome by the Spirit, I began to weep. I was confronted with my lack of spiritual discipline (thanksgiving, devotion, prayer) in contrast with my physical discipline (running, healthy eating). I am diligent and devoted to my fitness regime, but I forget to be thankful, to fill my heart with God's word, to pray for the burdens of others, to praise and enjoy God. I am committed to making my body fit...but I have let my soul grow flabby.

In that moment of exhilaration, surrounded by the grandeur of His creation, I was so thankful for 'the color green'...and I can tell you honestly that I have never felt thankful for a color before. Tenderly and graciously, my Father approached me that morning through song and surroundings and reminded me to be thankful, to discipline my heart, to exercise praise, to "train [myself] to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come"(1 Tim 4:7-8). I returned from my run a changed woman...sweaty, red-faced, tear-stained, changed...eager to discipline my soul as determinedly as my body.

This verse has always expressed my heart but is particularly relevant for me right now:

Psalm 63

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

If you get a chance, listen to the song. (Mom, I have your copy of the Rich Mullins CD...sorry, I'll return it.)