I love to run. It very well may be one of my favorite hobbies. When running I enjoy a unique convergence of feelings. There is the mental aspect that I am doing something healthy and good. There is the physical impact on the body that tends to engergize and revitalize me. There is the spiritual aspect in that I get to clear my head, pray, and listen to edifying material. There is also the competitive aspect in that I am working against myself and the course to attain my goal. It is good all the way around for me.
As a result, I feel great when I run.
Often times I’ll find myself running on rubbish day (the day when the city picks up our rubbish). As you can imagine there is a bit of a scent accompanied by every home putting their trash on the curb. The summer heat helps to increase the love, so to speak.
So there I am, running, feeling like a million bucks, doing what I love and my nostrils are continually being filled with the stench of rubbish.
Through the years I have found myself regularly refreshed as my nostrils are infiltrated by the odor. Strange, I know. This is because, as with the rest of my life, I spiritualize the heck out of it.
As I run I think of the stench of my sin. My sin stinks, both prior and subsequent to conversion. It makes the trash smell like a rose bush. Sin reeks. I know this. The trash reminds me.
It also reminds me of the Sunday gathering of believers. On Sundays we feel good. As Christians we are doing what we love to do, gathering together receive the Word preached, sing together, enjoy the Lord’s Table, and encourage one another in the good of the gospel. We are refreshed.
But then something happens.
The preacher has the nerve to lift up the lid on your life and let the stink of sin out. You are reminded of it. You may even spiritually gag a bit.
However, good Christian preaching doesn’t leave you there. He will point out the sin that is addressed and then bus you on over to the cross of Christ. In short he will preach the gospel.
You see what this does don’t you? It covers, diffuses, and ventilates the stench by blowing in the fresh gospel breeze of the grace of Christ. Just like my convergence of running benefits overrun the stench of neighborhood garbage so too the truth of the gospel refreshes my guilty soul with grace. I am reminded of what and why I love. I am reminded of what brings me joy and what grieves my heart. This is good for my soul.
