Built to Endure

I recently finished reading Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and The Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall.  I was completely fascinated by reading this book, and if you have even a remote interest in running I highly recommend this.  If you just like to read good non-fiction to be informed and inspired, I recommend this book to you as well.

In one of the later chapters (chapter 28 to be exact!), the author writes about some pretty compelling research proving that the human body was built for endurance.  We may not be the fastest creatures on earth, but we can run further than just about any other running animal out there.  Most animals can run fast, but they tire out after short distances.  Why?  Ineffecient breathing.  Mammals who run are limited by a cycle of take-a-step, take-a-breath, with the exception of--YOU.  The human body was made to take in large amounts of air, and we can control our breathing even when exerting ourselves.  The better a person breathes, the better endurance he has.

As I was reading about this scientific evidence, I couldn't help but think about the Scripture:

"Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground.  He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person." Genesis 2:7 NLT

Pretty cool huh?  God created us with the ability to endure.  A definition of endurance I heard awhile back was "the ability to be courageous under fire."  So, even in difficulty, God made us to be courageous and to press forward to victory.  Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul often used the imagery of a farmer, a soldier and an athlete?

A couple of weeks ago I was in California with a group of ladies from my church attending a conference.  It was an awesome time of forming new friendships, etc.  We rented a house nearby a junior high school track, so, I was able to keep up with my running schedule.  The final morning we were there, I got up early and headed out to the track.  We had a busy schedule and I didn't get the sleep I needed.  I was tired, but decided to run anyway.  As I approached the track entrance I had an amazing experience with the LORD that I have not shared with anyone yet.  I couldn't see them, but I knew they were there.  I sensed a host of angels waiting for me at the track and clapping and cheering me on as I began my run.  It was just what I need to endure the fatigue I was feeling, and even though I didn't feel like it when I started out, I pressed through, breathed in the life of God, and had a good run.