Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. Habakkuk 2:2
I love Pinterest. Perhaps I enjoy it so much because I don’t have a personal Facebook page. Or maybe it’s because I have this deep, deep desire to be more creative and a love for yummy food. Whatever the reason, I thoroughly enjoy it.
I love the jokes too. Like: 
My daughter recently pinned a “joke.” There was a man kneeling and praying and the caption read: I don’t know about you but I have thought about running away more often now as an adult then when I was a kid. Can I get an amen?!
When we were foster parents, our foster boys often threatened to run away. Occasionally our daughters would make similar threats. To all of them I had two responses. First, I told them that they weren’t allowed to run away because if anyone was going to run, it was going to be me! If they persisted, I asked them if they wanted me to pack them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The whole interchange generally ended with me reminding them that their problems would be here waiting for them when they returned.
I responded to my daughter’s pin by admitting I could relate and that’s why I go visit my mom in Arizona once or twice a year. The thought might make some cringe, but Arizona sunshine is a wonderful mood enhancer compared to the winter weary months of Ohio. When I’m there I have absolutely no responsibilities. I get to ride a bike morning and night and I play Scrabble until I can’t keep my eyes open. It’s an amazing preview of heaven for me. Just thinking about it makes me wish I could hop a plane right now!
Before I could get away from this whole thought of running away I sat and reflected for a bit. I pondered why we run away and what happens when we do.
It seems to me that we run when we don’t want to face what where we are and where we’re headed. We run when we’re afraid. I would like to suggest that running is not always a bad option. I know some people who run because they enjoy it. (As much as I admire them, I don’t think that I’ll be joining them any time soon.) The key, it seems is to be sure that you’re running for the right reason and that you’re running in the right direction. And scripture is pretty clear which way that is:
*I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding. Psalm 119:32
*Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
*Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. 2Tim 2:22 NLT
What I especially love about Paul’s words to Timothy is that he is pretty clear what he and we should be running from and towards. Hmmm, maybe I will take up running after all!
Pot of Manna 
And here I thought that first scripture was JUST for me!! 🙂
You know I have Hebrews 12:1 tattooed on my forearm so that I see it when I run.
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I didn’t know that…how cool! Great motivation.
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Perseverance – that’s my word for this year. I’ve been making slow progress on a bible study for the past three years. Life keeps interrupting. Everytime I want to give up, the Spirit says, “Persevere!”
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It’s been a word that has been coming up often for me, too–in my writing and ministry. Don’t quit too soon! God has special things for that Bible study of yours. The timing will be perfect.
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