When Suffering is Self Inflicted

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

After slowly walking into work Monday morning, a coworker and I began to discuss what we did over the weekend. After telling her all about the fun I had at the Dogwood Canyon two-day Trail Runs (at which I ran nearly 42 miles up and down the steep and rocky Ozark mountains), I also told her about the pain in my quads that explained why I was doing the dreaded marathon shuffle.

After we had a good laugh, I said, “I really can't complain too much, though, because I brought this suffering on myself. After all, it's one thing to suffer for something you didn't deserve, but when you bring the suffering on yourself, it's better to just accept it.”

And let me tell you, we had another good laugh about that! She was quick to assure me, though, that this was one type of suffering she would NEVER be bringing upon herself. Is that funny or what? 

But you know, spiritually speaking, there's a valuable lesson here for all of us. And the lesson is this…

Sometimes we suffer through no fault of our own, and other times we suffer because of the choices we've made. And while we may never understand why God allows certain trials in our lives, we can trust His promise in Romans 8:28 that He works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

But what about the suffering we bring upon ourselves?

You see, the Bible tells us in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” In other words, our choices have consequences. And while God promises to forgive us when we genuinely repent and turn from our sins, He doesn't promise to remove all the consequences of those sins.

Consider King David. Although God forgave him for his sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah after he repented, David still suffered painful consequences for his actions (2 Samuel 12). His forgiveness was real, but so were the consequences. And the same is true for us.

Poor decisions can damage relationships, destroy trust, harm our health, and leave us dealing with consequences long after we've asked God for forgiveness. And when that happens, we can't blame God for the suffering we've brought upon ourselves. We must take responsibility, learn from our mistakes, and move forward in obedience.

But here's the beautiful thing about God's mercy. Even when we deserve the consequences of our actions, God doesn't abandon us in our suffering.

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that His mercies are new every morning. Think about that! Every single morning we wake up is another opportunity to experience God's compassion, learn from yesterday's mistakes, and make better choices today.

And while God's mercy doesn't always remove the consequences of our actions, it assures us that our failures don't have to define our future.

In fact, Psalm 103:10-12 tells us that God has not dealt with us according to our sins or punished us according to our iniquities. And that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

What an amazing picture of mercy!

You see, mercy isn't God giving us what we deserve. Mercy is God withholding the punishment we deserve. And nowhere is that mercy more evident than at the cross, where Jesus willingly suffered for sins He never committed so that we could be forgiven of the sins we did commit.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus didn't wait for us to get our lives together. He didn't wait for us to become worthy of His love. He suffered and died for us while we were still sinners!

And because of that great mercy, we can face the consequences of our past without being consumed by guilt, shame, or regret. We can repent, accept God's forgiveness, make things right where we can, and trust Him to help us move forward.

Does that mean life will suddenly become easy? Of course not. But it does mean that our suffering is never wasted when we surrender it to God. Whether we're suffering because of circumstances beyond our control or because of choices we wish we could undo, God can use those experiences to humble us, teach us, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him.

And that's something we should be incredibly thankful for.

As for my sore quads? Well, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up to run those beautiful but challenging trails. And while I might be shuffling around for a few more days, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. But the spiritual lesson is one I hope we never forget.

We may not get to choose the consequences of our actions, but we DO get to choose how we respond to them. We can become bitter, blame God, and remain stuck in regret, or we can take responsibility, receive His mercy, and allow Him to use even our mistakes for our good and His glory.

So whatever suffering you might be facing today, remember this my friend: God's mercy is greater than your mistakes, His grace is sufficient for your struggles, and His love is not diminished by your failures.

You can't always undo what you've done, but through Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven, restored, and given a new beginning. And that's a reason to praise Him today and every day. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning. Thank You also for Your grace that provides forgiveness of our sins. Help us to undertand that forgiveness doesn’t always free us from the consequences of our transgressions here on this earth Lord, but does ensure that we will inherit eternal life where all things will be made new. Thank you for that promise. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Practice Gratitude Every Day

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV

Yesterday morning, before the start of the second day of the Dogwood Canyon Trail Run, I had the privilege of sharing a devotional with the runners preparing to tackle the beautiful but challenging 15K course. And while the message was directed toward runners, it's one that applies to every single one of us, whether we run or not.

You see, the message was simple but powerful. We don't HAVE to run. We GET to run! And when we begin to understand the difference between those two statements, we begin to understand just how important gratitude is to living a joyful life.

As I reminded the runners yesterday, by God's grace, we had been given another day to wake up, lace up our running shoes, breathe in the fresh air, and experience the beauty of His creation. We had the opportunity to challenge our bodies, enjoy the fellowship of others, and do something that many people would love to do but physically cannot.

And what a blessing that is!

I challenged the runners to remember that when the hills got steep and their legs grew tired. Rather than saying, "I HAVE to climb this hill," I encouraged them to say, "Thank You, Lord, that I GET to climb this hill!"

Because the truth is, what we sometimes complain about is the very thing someone else is praying for the ability to do. And isn't that true of so many things in life?

We complain about having to go to work when someone else is praying for a job. We grumble about having to clean the house when someone else is praying for a place to call home. We complain about being busy with our families when someone else is longing for the companionship and relationships we sometimes take for granted.

You see, gratitude changes our perspective. When we focus on what we HAVE to do, even our greatest blessings can begin to feel like burdens. But when we focus on what we GET to do, we begin to recognize just how good God has been to us.

And that brings me to the greatest reason we have to be thankful.

Jesus didn't HAVE to die for us. He CHOSE to die for us!

Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Not after we cleaned up our lives. Not after we became worthy of His love. And certainly not because we had done anything to deserve it.

“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:18 NKJV

He willingly laid down His life because He loved us. In John 10:18, Jesus explained that no one took His life from Him, but that He laid it down of Himself. His sacrifice was voluntary, motivated by love, and made in obedience to the Father's will.

Think about that for a moment. The Son of God willingly endured the cross to pay the price for our sins so that through faith in Him, we could receive the gift of eternal life.

If that doesn't give us a reason to be grateful, I don't know what will!

Psalm 100:4 tells us,“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (NKJV)

Notice that Scripture doesn't tell us to be thankful only when life is easy, when everything is going our way, or when we have everything we want. We are called to be thankful because God is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His faithfulness never ends.

That's why I challenged the runners yesterday to spend their miles praising God. To thank Him for the strength to climb the hills, for the ability to keep moving when their legs grew tired, and for the breathtaking beauty of the birds, waterfalls, streams, and valleys along the course.

I even encouraged them to sing a praise song or two as they ran! After all, if the birds can sing, why shouldn't we lift our voices in praise to the One who created us?

But here's what I want you to understand today. We don't have to be running through the beautiful trails of Dogwood Canyon to practice gratitude. We can do it wherever God has placed us and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

We can thank Him for the breath in our lungs, the people in our lives, the opportunities before us, and even the challenges that cause us to depend on Him more. And when life gets hard, we can still praise Him for the one blessing that can never be taken away from those who belong to Christ—the promise of eternal life through Jesus.

You see, gratitude doesn't mean that life is always easy or that we won't face some difficult hills and valleys. It simply means that we choose to focus on the goodness of God rather than allowing our circumstances to steal our joy.

And the more we practice gratitude, the more we begin to recognize His blessings all around us.

So today, I want to challenge you to do the same thing I challenged those runners to do yesterday. Change your HAVE TOs into GET TOs. Look for the blessings in the ordinary moments. Thank God for the little things as well as the big things. And most importantly, never stop thanking Him for the gift of salvation that Jesus willingly made possible through His death on the cross.

Because the truth is, every breath is a blessing, every day is a gift, and every opportunity we have is another reason to praise the One who gave us life and gave His life for us.

So run grateful. Walk grateful. Work grateful. And live grateful. Not because life is always good, but because God is always good!

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the ways You are good to us. Lord, in response to providing a way to eternal life, help us to live lives of gratitude. Help us to be so joyful and so thankful everywhere we go that others might be drawn to the One who elicits this response. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Value Spiritual Training over Physical Training

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NIV

In a story titled “Leading US Marathon Runner Trains at Planet Fitness,” published yesterday, it was reported that up-and-coming star Vinny Mauri, who won the 2025 Chicago Marathon has a different training setting than most other elite athletes do. The 25-year-old trains at his local Planet Fitness in Ohio.

Most of his training miles, he said, are completed on the treadmills of his local gym, where a membership costs $24.99 a month.

Mauri smashed the Glass City Marathon course record in April, winning the race in a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 54 seconds. At a speed of 4:48 per mile, this was the fastest debut marathon by an American in history. Speaking on his unique training base, Mauri said:

“People love that I’m just doing it from here, doing it from home. I didn’t really have to relocate to do the thing that I love.”

And, you know, while physical training is important—hence the reason there are many ways and places to train—training spiritually is even more important. 

This was something Paul alluded to when he said, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Paul clearly understood that, while physical training could strengthen the body and improve a person's health, spiritual training could strengthen the soul and prepare a person for eternity. In addition, the benefits of physical fitness are temporary while the benefits of godliness are eternal. Think about that for a moment.

No matter how many miles we run, how many weights we lift, or how well we take care of our bodies, they will eventually wear out. Our strength will fade, our endurance will diminish, and one day our earthly lives will come to an end. But the time we spend growing closer to God, studying His Word, praying, and learning to walk in obedience to Him will never be wasted. Because while physical training prepares us for the challenges of this life, spiritual training prepares us for both this life and the one to come.

And that's why Paul said godliness is profitable for all things.

You see, the discipline we develop through spiritual training doesn't just help us become better Christians on Sunday mornings. It changes how we live every single day. It teaches us to respond with patience instead of anger, to choose obedience over temptation, to trust God when life gets hard, and to remain faithful when things don't go our way. It gives us the wisdom, strength, and endurance we need to navigate the trials of this world while keeping our eyes fixed on eternity.

But here's the thing. Just as a runner can't expect to finish a marathon without putting in the training miles, we can't expect to be spiritually strong without putting in the time to grow in our faith. Spiritual strength, like physical strength, requires intentional and consistent training. That means making time to read our Bibles, spending time in prayer, putting God's Word into practice, and choosing to follow Jesus even when it's difficult.

And while there's certainly nothing wrong with spending an hour at the gym or going for a long run—in fact, taking care of the bodies God has entrusted to us is an important part of being good stewards—we should never become so focused on training our bodies that we neglect training our souls.

After all, what good would it do us to be in the best physical shape of our lives if we were spiritually weak? What good would it do to cross the finish line of every race we entered if we failed to faithfully run the race God has set before us?

The answer is simple. Nothing we accomplish physically can compare to the eternal value of knowing Jesus Christ and living for Him.

So, by all means, lace up those running shoes, hit the gym, and take care of the body God has given you my friend. But make sure you're putting even more effort into growing spiritually. Because the medals, records, and physical accomplishments we work so hard for will one day mean nothing, but the rewards of a life faithfully lived for Christ will last forever.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible that gives us everything we need to become spiritually fit so that we can run the race with endurance, remain on course, and make it to the finish line. Lord, help us to take our training in the Word so seriously that we make it our top priority. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Don’t Put Off the Decision

"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV

In a heartbreaking story posted by Runner’s World on Tuesday, it was reported that Rachel Apa was nearing the end of her first New York City Marathon when she collapsed in Central Park on Sunday, November 1. The 24-year-old had spent months putting in the work needed to conquer 26.2 miles, but never made it across the finish line. Instead, she was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she died later that night.

Apa, a Bucknell University alum who lived in central Pennsylvania, came to New York to run with Parkinson's Foundation Champions, raising money in memory of her grandfather, who died from the disease in 2022.

According to reporting from The New York Times, the medical emergency happened around 1:30 p.m. close to Mile 24, around 85th Street, right as runners enter the final stretch through Central Park. Several spectators rushed to help and began performing CPR. New York Road Runners medical staff arrived shortly after, and tried to resuscitate her with a defibrillator before paramedics took her to the hospital…

Doctors spent hours trying to save Rachel. Her father, Steve, told the newspaper she was pronounced dead around 9:40 p.m.

"It's unfathomable," he told the newspaper. "Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old."

Steve told the Times that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases substances into the bloodstream. The condition can cause serious kidney damage and, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can be triggered by extreme physical exertion.

And you know, Rachel's death is a heartbreaking reminder of just how fragile life is and how quickly everything can change. At only 24 years old, she had her whole life ahead of her. She had trained for months, made plans for the future, and was just over two miles away from accomplishing something she had worked so hard for. But in an instant, everything changed.

And while we don't know what tomorrow holds, or even what the next moment might bring, this story reminds us of this... not one of us is guaranteed another breath.

That's why Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 are so important. When he said, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation," he was urging people not to put off accepting God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. You see, salvation is available to everyone who repents of their sins and places their faith in Jesus Christ, but the opportunity to make that decision will not last forever.

And that's something you and I simply cannot afford to ignore or to share. 

You see, the Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." This means that when our earthly lives come to an end, our eternal destiny is settled. There are no second chances to repent after death. 

And as difficult as it might be to hear, those who die in their sins, having rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior, will not inherit eternal life.

Jesus Himself warned us of this when He said, "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24 NKJV)

This is why the decision to follow Jesus is the most important decision you will ever make. More important than your career, your relationships, your accomplishments, or any goal you could ever achieve. Because while all those things matter here on earth, only your relationship with Jesus Christ determines where you will spend eternity.

And here's the beautiful thing. God doesn't want anyone to perish. Second Peter 3:9 tells us that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." That's why He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, making a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled to Him. Salvation isn't something we can earn by being good enough or doing enough good things. It's a gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.

But it's a gift we must personally receive.

So let me ask you something. If your life ended today, would you be ready to stand before God? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior? Or have you been putting off that decision, assuming you'll have plenty of time to make it later?

If so, please don't wait!

As runners, we spend countless hours preparing to cross a finish line. We train, sacrifice, and discipline ourselves because we know how important it is to be ready when race day comes. But how much more important is it to prepare for the finish line of life? After all, we know when a marathon is scheduled to end. We have no idea when our earthly race will be over.

And while we can always sign up for another race if we miss one, we cannot go back and make the decision to follow Christ once our lives have ended.

So, if you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I urge you to do it today my friend—because tomorrow isn't promised, the next moment isn't guaranteed, and eternity is far too long to be wrong about where you will spend it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation that You provide to all those who choose to accept You as Savior and to turn from their sins. Lord, help us to be bold as we work alongside You to plead with the lost to receive Your gift of grace while they still have time, knowing there will be no second chances after death. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Keep the Momentum Going

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about Marathon Weekend! Was it a blast or what? From the expo to the race, this event did not disappoint! So, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to every runner who crossed a finish line on Sunday! Whether you completed the 5K, half marathon, marathon relay, or the full marathon, you accomplished something worth celebrating!

Think about all the early mornings, long runs, tired legs, and sacrifices that brought you to that finish line. You set a goal, committed to the training, pushed through the hard days, and YOU DID IT!

But now what?

As a longtime runner and running coach, I can tell you that one of the best things you can do after accomplishing a big running goal is to SET ANOTHER ONE! Why? Because you don't want to let the post-race blues steal your joy!

Believe it or not, there’s something runners sometimes experience called Post-Marathon Depression (PMD), often referred to as the post-race blues. It's that emotional letdown that can happen after spending months training for something big, only to suddenly find yourself without that daily purpose or goal. I can tell you from experience that it’s a real thing!
Think about it… For weeks or months, your life revolved around training schedules, long runs, nutrition, recovery, and counting down the days until race day. Then, just like that, it's over.

The excitement fades, the medal gets hung up, and you might find yourself asking, "Now what do I do?"

That feeling is more common than you might think. And while taking time to recover physically and mentally is absolutely necessary, having something new to look forward to can help keep those post-race blues from taking over.

Your Accomplishment Is a Springboard, Not a Stopping Point!

Here's what I want you to remember: You are not the same runner you were when you started training!

You're stronger. You're more disciplined. You're more confident. And you've proven to yourself that you can do hard things!

So why stop now?

Maybe you just completed your first 5K. Why not set your sights on a 10K? Finished your first half marathon? Maybe a full marathon is in your future! Already conquered 26.2 miles? Perhaps it's time to explore trail running (think Dogwood Canyon), tackle an ultra, or work toward a personal record?

And here's the beautiful thing: Your next goal doesn't even have to be a longer distance or a faster time. Maybe it's simply becoming a more consistent runner, improving your strength, or learning to enjoy running without the pressure of a race clock.

Progress, you know, doesn't always mean going farther or faster. Sometimes it means becoming better at what you're already doing.

Keep the Momentum, But Respect the Recovery!

Before you rush out and register for your next big challenge though, remember that your body needs time to recover from the work you've just asked it to do. Especially if you completed the marathon!

Rest is not losing fitness. Recovery is part of training!

Use this time to celebrate your accomplishment, enjoy some easy movement when you're ready, reconnect with friends and family, and reflect on everything you've learned.

But don't lose sight of what you've gained. Go ahead and put that next race on your calendar! Having something exciting on the horizon can give you renewed motivation and direction while allowing yourself the recovery you deserve.

The Best Is Yet to Come!

One of the things I love most about running is that there's always another opportunity to grow. Every finish line has the potential to become the starting line for something greater.

That race you just finished? It wasn't just about earning a medal. It was about discovering what you're capable of when you commit to something and refuse to give up.

Don't let all that hard work become something you used to do. Let it become the foundation for what you're going to do NEXT!

So, to all my fellow Bass Pro Marathon Weekend finishers, I challenge you to do three things: Celebrate what you've accomplished, give your body the recovery it deserves, and find another goal that excites you!

Maybe I'll see you at the starting line of your next adventure? I know where my next adventure will be... Dogwood Canyon!!!

And there you have it friends. The finish line isn't where your journey ends. It's where the next chapter begins! So keep moving forward, keep challenging yourself, and never forget that the way to keep from experiencing post-race blues is to keep setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Keep the Momentum Going

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about Marathon Weekend! Was it a blast or what? From the expo to the race, this event did not disappoint! So, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to every runner who crossed a finish line on Sunday! Whether you completed the 5K, half marathon, marathon relay, or the full marathon, you accomplished something worth celebrating!

Think about all the early mornings, long runs, tired legs, and sacrifices that brought you to that finish line. You set a goal, committed to the training, pushed through the hard days, and YOU DID IT!

But now what?

As a longtime runner and running coach, I can tell you that one of the best things you can do after accomplishing a big running goal is to SET ANOTHER ONE! Why? Because you don't want to let the post-race blues steal your joy!

Believe it or not, there’s something runners sometimes experience called Post-Marathon Depression (PMD), often referred to as the post-race blues. It's that emotional letdown that can happen after spending months training for something big, only to suddenly find yourself without that daily purpose or goal. I can tell you from experience that it’s a real thing!
Think about it… For weeks or months, your life revolved around training schedules, long runs, nutrition, recovery, and counting down the days until race day. Then, just like that, it's over.

The excitement fades, the medal gets hung up, and you might find yourself asking, "Now what do I do?"

That feeling is more common than you might think. And while taking time to recover physically and mentally is absolutely necessary, having something new to look forward to can help keep those post-race blues from taking over.

Your Accomplishment Is a Springboard, Not a Stopping Point!

Here's what I want you to remember: You are not the same runner you were when you started training!

You're stronger. You're more disciplined. You're more confident. And you've proven to yourself that you can do hard things!

So why stop now?

Maybe you just completed your first 5K. Why not set your sights on a 10K? Finished your first half marathon? Maybe a full marathon is in your future! Already conquered 26.2 miles? Perhaps it's time to explore trail running (think Dogwood Canyon), tackle an ultra, or work toward a personal record?

And here's the beautiful thing: Your next goal doesn't even have to be a longer distance or a faster time. Maybe it's simply becoming a more consistent runner, improving your strength, or learning to enjoy running without the pressure of a race clock.

Progress, you know, doesn't always mean going farther or faster. Sometimes it means becoming better at what you're already doing.

Keep the Momentum, But Respect the Recovery!

Before you rush out and register for your next big challenge though, remember that your body needs time to recover from the work you've just asked it to do. Especially if you completed the marathon!

Rest is not losing fitness. Recovery is part of training!

Use this time to celebrate your accomplishment, enjoy some easy movement when you're ready, reconnect with friends and family, and reflect on everything you've learned.

But don't lose sight of what you've gained. Go ahead and put that next race on your calendar! Having something exciting on the horizon can give you renewed motivation and direction while allowing yourself the recovery you deserve.

The Best Is Yet to Come!

One of the things I love most about running is that there's always another opportunity to grow. Every finish line has the potential to become the starting line for something greater.

That race you just finished? It wasn't just about earning a medal. It was about discovering what you're capable of when you commit to something and refuse to give up.

Don't let all that hard work become something you used to do. Let it become the foundation for what you're going to do NEXT!

So, to all my fellow Bass Pro Marathon Weekend finishers, I challenge you to do three things: Celebrate what you've accomplished, give your body the recovery it deserves, and find another goal that excites you!

Maybe I'll see you at the starting line of your next adventure? I know where my next adventure will be... Dogwood Canyon!!!

And there you have it friends. The finish line isn't where your journey ends. It's where the next chapter begins! So keep moving forward, keep challenging yourself, and never forget that the way to keep from experiencing post-race blues is to keep setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. 

Happy Running!

Run the Tangents

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10 NKJV

In a story titled “Wow! Jess McClain Becomes the First American Woman on the NYC Marathon Podium in 8 Years,” published by Runner’s World yesterday, it was reported that Jess McClain, the 34-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, finished second at the New York City Marathon in 2:24:42.

She later intimated that “wise” running was the key to her success.

The race broke open at mile 23 with eventual champion Sheila Chepkirui and defending champion Hellen Obiri, both of Kenya, creating a seven-second gap.

But McClain, in her mint green Brooks kit, was always visible lurking in the distance.

And notably, she ran the tangents through the curves of Central Park, while the leaders stayed in the middle of the road, adding distance.

“The last two miles through the park, I was just like really focused on the tangents and my form,” McClain said. “And I was taking the shortest line possible, and I kind of noticed Hellen kind of not taking the tangents, and I think honestly, like, every small percentage of anything helped in the last few miles.”

Her wisdom allowed her to remain near the front and ultimately outsprint Hellen, who has three Olympic medals, including two silver medals at the 5,000 meters, in the last 200 meters of the race.

And you know what? There's a powerful spiritual lesson here for you and me.

You see, running the tangents means taking the shortest possible straight-line path, which is the shortest possible legal path, through the curves of a racecourse rather than following the road's bends. And while knowing how to run the tangents is important, that knowledge does a runner absolutely no good unless they actually put it into practice.

The same is true in our spiritual race.

This is something we see in Psalm 111:10 that says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” In other words, true wisdom begins with having a deep reverence for God, recognizing His authority, and trusting that His ways are better than our own. 

But notice something important here… The psalmist doesn't say that understanding comes simply from knowing God's commandments. He says it comes from doing them.

And that's where running the spiritual tangents comes in. 

You see, God's Word shows us the best and straightest path to take in life. It teaches us how to avoid unnecessary detours caused by sin, poor decisions, and disobedience.

But just like a runner who knows the shortest route and chooses not to follow it, we can know what the Bible says and still choose to go our own way. And when we do, we often make our spiritual race much harder than it needs to be.

That's why reading and studying God's Word every day is so important. We can't follow instructions we don't know. And we can't expect to make wise decisions if we aren't filling our minds with the wisdom that comes from God. But knowing His Word is only half the equation. We must be willing to obey it, even when doing so isn't easy or convenient.

And here's the beautiful thing. The more we study God's Word and put it into practice, the better we become at recognizing His ways and choosing them over our own. Our obedience strengthens our faith, deepens our understanding, and helps us stay on the course He has set before us.

So let me ask you this. Are you running the spiritual tangents? Or are you adding unnecessary miles to your journey by knowing what God commands but choosing to do things your own way?

The answer to that is very important my friend, because if you want to make it to the finish line as a champion, you must make it your daily mission to know God's Word and to obey it. This is the only way to ensure that you’ll be wise enough to run the spiritual tangents. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible that lays out the course to the finish line. Help us to study Your word and to obey it that we might follow You so closely that we don’t stray from the straight and narrow path laid out for us. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!