There will be scoffers

"But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires." Jude 1:17,18

In an article titled “For the world's fastest retro-runner, it took going backward to move forward” posted by Denver 7 recently, Aaron Yoder, the world's swiftest backwards runner, described how he came to run in such an unconventional way. “I’ve probably had every injury you could imagine to a certain point where it was like I pretty much rode the donkey till it dies. I just couldn’t run anymore, and I was like, ‘well, I have another opportunity here.’” It seems Yoder might just be on to something. The National Institutes of Health published a study which found that running at 80% effort backward produces the same amount of strain on the body as running with 100% effort forwards and the University of Oregon also published research that shows retro-running has a lot of other potential benefits including improving balance, developing a strong foundation upon which to improve performance, facilitating greater neuro-muscular function and actually preventing injuries. And if this backwards running is something you’d like to try, consider that Aaron said people laugh and scoff at him and think what he's doing is silly. Which means you should expect the same treatment if you follow his example. 

And you know, when it comes to being mocked or scoffed at, you and I would do well to remember the words of Jude, especially as these end days draw nearer, “But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires.” That means you and I should expect to be teased, made fun of, laughed at, put down, and called silly for loving Christ and choosing to live in a way that honors Him by those who live to have their fleshy desires met and mock all those who disapprove. This is not treatment that should take us by surprise. 

So don’t back down when you are ridiculed, harassed, or called names for staying true to the Word my friend. Keep running the race, keep loving those who reject you (remembering they are really rejecting Jesus), and keep serving the Lord with all you’ve got, not missing even one step. Scoffers will scoff but in the end they just might be inspired to follow the Lord by the way you and I react to their disapproval. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there will always be people who will think that chasing after You rather than the things of this world is foolish. Lord as our nation continues to spiral into moral depravity, give us thick skin and a soft heart... thick skin to let mean and angry words bounce off of us and soft hearts to continue to love those who are speaking them. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!