I was recently bit by the runner’s bug. And so here I am at 33 years old training for a marathon. I am enjoying the training, the newness and adventure of it all and of course the physical benefits. But one thing I am also learning is how much marathon training has to teach us about ministry.
As I have been running I have been amazed at how easy it has been. Granted, my longest run/walk so far has been 2 miles (other than a 4 mile hike/run/walk over the weekend) but even so I have been impressed with the ease with which I have slipped into this new role as runner. I believe a lot of that has to do with the pace with which my wife and I are taking our training. The training regimen we are on is gradual. And each day as we finish our run I want to run more. I have the energy and excitement to run more. But I remind myself of what will happen if I run further and harder and longer than I should at this stage of my training. First I know that I might feel good now, but tomorrow I am going to really be hurting if I don’t stick to the gradual nature of my training. Second I also know that if I am really in pain or weak after my run I might not/probably won’t want to continue training on my next training day. Third,I know that if I push too hard and too fast I might actually cause damage to my body instead of helping my body. And so when the end of my run comes and I want to go on, I remind myself that baby steps work wonders. I remind myself that what seems like slow training now will actually look quite fast in six months when I finish my first half marathon. At the end of my run I remind myself that the compounded effort of training four days a week stretching just a bit farther and bit harder each time will be so much more beneficial than trying to do it all today.
The implications for ministry here are astounding! Not only does this speak to the tendency of some pastors/leaders (myself included) to work too many hours and too many days and suffer burnout, but it also speaks to the need of having each part of ministry assume it rightful time and place. Trying to save the whole city today will never happen. But reaching one person with the gospel, encouraging one person, serving one person today is a very real possibility. And the compounded effect of daily ministry to others over a significant period of time can bring amazing results!
And so when I want to try just a bit harder and stay just a bit longer I think: “Maybe I can’t do as much today as I think I can, and maybe I can do a lot more over a period of time than I ever really thought possible”. After all ministry isn’t a moment,it is a marathon and we only reach the finish line when we enter glory.
Pastor Michael Johnson 