I was recently re-reading the late George Sheehan’s Running and Being and came across this quote:

Philosopher Jean Houston has observed “We tend to think of the Faustian man, the one who fabricates, manipulates, seduces and ends up destroying. But the new image will be man the creator, the artist, the player.” The first Christians told us all that. The game plan had changed when the angel said “Rejoice. Be not afraid. I bring you good news of great joy,” we knew that everything was going to be different. The world, which had moved from “if” to “yes” was now moving on to love. The game would be for everyone. And the arena would be the world. All of us can be great players.
 
And it set my mind to thinking: how often do I play?

Lately, life has felt like a series of burdens being ever piled on my back. It’s like I’m wearing a backpack and everyone I encounter is carrying a rock that they feel needs to be in my backpack.

And it’s hard to play when you’re wearing a backpack full of rocks.

So this morning I am determined to put down the backpack and to remember to delight in the God of my salvation. To remember, as our Senior Pastor, Andy McQuitty, preached on Sunday, I fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. The victory has already been won!

If anybody knows how to play, it should be me – the girl who has been set free from sin and death.

So what about you? Are you carrying around your own backpack full of rocks? And by the way, who told you to carry it? Because although it’s easy to say “my husband” or “my kids” or “my work” the reality is the only one who can decide to carry around all that weight is you.

And the only one who can decide to put it down is you.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Or, as sung my Amy Grant a million years ago (not quite), “Lay down your burdens, I will carry you. I will carry you my child.”

So rest. And play. And delight. Because you are a child of the Most High. And the victory has already been won.

Happy Running.