As of today, I have totaled 106,371 miles and worn the rubber off the soles of at least 250 pairs of shoes. Sometimes I am still unable to fathom the enormity of those numbers. But there they are.
“The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials.” – John L. Parker, Jr., (Once a Runner)
Outside of The Scriptures, my favorite book is a fictional work called Once a Runner. It is a must read for serious runners. If you are an aspiring runner, you’ve probably read it. If not, I suggest that you do. It’s the only running book I know that doesn’t sugarcoat it but accurately describes what it takes to be great.
“What was the secret, they wanted to know; in a thousand different ways they wanted to know The Secret. And not one of them was prepared, truly prepared to believe that it had not so much to do with chemicals and zippy mental tricks as with that most unprofound and sometimes heart-rending process of removing, molecule by molecule, the very tough rubber that comprised the bottoms of his training shoes. The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials.” – John L. Parker, Jr., (Once a Runner)
Nowadays, many athletes seem more interested in the peripherals. Supplements, special workouts, the newest diets, fancy running shoes, zippy mental tricks, etc. Sure, these things help. But they are just the icing on the cake. Most are not sincerely ready to face the hard truth that removing the tough rubber that comprises the bottoms of their running shoes is what really develops greatness.
They aren’t ready to face the daunting task of stacking mileage week after week after week. After month. After year. It is a process that is not done with a single run or tough workout. It is not some trait that you turn on during the season and forget about the rest of the year. It is carried out over time, “molecule by molecule,” as the author states. It is a heart-rending process at times.
“The only true way is to marshal the ferocity of your ambition over the course of many days, weeks, months, and (if you could finally come to accept it) years. The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials. How could he make them understand?” – John L. Parker, Jr., Once a Runner
So what does this have to do with our faith? Well, it’s not that different, really. Lots of people come to the faith, sprint out the gates, only to fall away when persecution, hardship, and distractions arise. Even mature believers sometimes put their walk on cruise control, forgetting to challenge themselves with daily Scripture reading, prayer, and works that bring about obedience, endurance and a perfect faith.
What do those successful runners do? They “marshal the ferocity of their ambition over the course of many days, weeks, months, and years.” And we need to do the same in our walk with Yahusha (Jesus).
And that is not an easy task.
Today, we live in a culture that wants everything now, without having to work for it. We have a culture distracted from daily Scripture reading and prayer because of social media. We have a culture that backs away in fear or quits when things get difficult. I get it. Life is hard.
I can’t say those miles I ran were all sunshine and giggles either. There were numerous lonely dirt roads, hot sun beating down, and the thought of quitting on more occasions than I’d like to admit. And I’ve had my fair share of setbacks and especially seasons of doubt.
“My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your belief works endurance. And let endurance have a perfect work, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in naught.” – James 1:2-4
Consistent mileage and regular workouts bring about endurance. This is the only true path that creates the perfect work of running that may (or may not) bring the gold medal one longs for. When I used to race a lot, I didn’t easily forget the thousands of miles I had trained. Those lonely miles, early morning, tough workouts and hard times reminded me to pursue the goal. Quitting was not an option. Neither was giving anything less than my best. To do such would make all those lonely miles a waste of time.
The challenges, hardships and trials we face in our walk of obedience do the same thing. They bring about an enduring faith, and eventually a perfect work, worthy of the crown of life. And endurance is necessary in these end times as we navigate a world which is antithetical to believers. We need to fight the urge to conform to this lawless society. But how are we going to do that if we haven’t picked up our Bible in a week?
“Blessed is the man who does endure trial, for when he has been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Master has promised to those who love Him.” – James 1:12
You may understand this analogy if you’ve been a serious athlete at any point in your life. James, the half-brother of our messiah, Yahusha, understood. I don’t know if he was a competitor in anything, but he knew that enduring trial made one perfect. Did John L. Parker, Jr. have James in mind when he wrote his Once a Runner? His words parallel James’ advice…
“Running to him was real; the way he did it, the realest thing he knew. It was all joy and woe, hard as diamond; it made him weary beyond comprehension. But it also made him free.” – John L. Parker, Jr., Once a Runner
James reminds us that this work of obedience is what brings blessings. We need to endure trials, become doers of the Torah (not hearers only), to receive the blessings of the “perfect Torah, that of freedom.”
True faith goes against the culture.
Life is hard. Trials will arise. We will meet obstacles in every step of our walk. Every step.
And those are the Trial of Miles we should be concerned with. The Miles of Trials that we face in life that keep us from obeying the commands of the Father. It is only after overcoming those trials that we gain strength and endurance in our walk.
So be strong. Be courageous. Be consistent. And be blessed!
FAITH IN MOTION 