Running is Intentional Worship

Written by Daryl Sung (Singapore)

Daryl, formerly a Physical Educator, is now embracing and embarking on a Sports Mission in his life through FCA and building a kingdom sports business called 'YOLO RUN'. He is married, with 2 princesses, passionate about Jesus, prayer running and also children building strong and firm foundations in their early years. He's all for healthy living, being active and fit for the long haul. Coffee & a book in hand is something he loves in his free time.

August 24, 2021

Running is intentional.
Worship is also intentional.
God created us for worship and for His pleasure.
However, just knowing this does not automatically translate into our daily living if you and I do not intentionally give attention to the most vital audience that we live for.

Apostle Paul puts it simply.
He calls us to do, say or think as unto the Lord, soaked in His beauty and marked by His name (Colossians 3:17;23).
I guess that is why as Christians, we cannot compartmentalize our spirituality into church on Sundays, ministry, vocations, family and other facets of our life. 

Wholesomeness arises when your faith and beliefs impact all areas of your life at all times.
The question you need to ask yourself is

“Am I determined enough to be in the presence of God every moment of the day?”.

If you’re a parent, you would agree that children display longing most vividly.
My 2 princesses, 8 and 5 years old, love and long to be in my presence.
They are always waiting for every opportunity to wrestle with me, jump over me, piggyback and roll over me.
That is their way of expressing love, through those physical touches.
That is their way of saying ‘I love you daddy’!
Similarly, when I reciprocate back and give them the attention they so desire, the experience deepens our bonding and love for each other.

What then is our language of love towards God?
I truly believe that our language of love is WORSHIP.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” 

Romans 12:1

It is never about what you do but how and why you do it.
It is never about how far or how fast you run, but how and why you run.
The posture of worship matters to God in your walk with Him.
How you live out every aspect of life matters to God greatly.
God pays careful attention to how you speak, what you eat, how you treat others and yourself, why you work, how you work, how you rest and importantly, how you respond to what He says. 

For me, going out for a run is an intentional effort because it requires discipline, commitment and stepping out of my comfort zone.

Why do I do it?
My body is a temple of God.
I believe that stewarding my health is my responsibility as a recipient of this precious gift from God.

How do I do it?
When I run, I pray.
My heart-to-heart conversations with my Heavenly Father start the moment I take my first step. 

Is that really worship? 

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well:

“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”

John 4:23-24

True worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. 

True worshippers work in spirit and in truth.

True worshippers serve in spirit and in truth.

True worshippers run in spirit and in truth.

Points for Reflection & Prayer:

  1. What does worship mean to you? How can you align your life to what is said in Colossians 3:17-23?

  2. How is intentional living related to worship?

  3. Are there areas of your life that have been separated with worship?
    If so, would you recommit those areas to God and invite Him into your life as a whole. 

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