Nothing is more frustrating than getting a rock in my shoe when I’m running. Okay, maybe crazy rabid dogs are worse, but rocks in my shoe are a close second. Rocks are like uninvited guests that show up and ruin your whole party.
Here are a few things I’ve learned about getting a rock in my shoe while running…
- No matter what size the rock, it always feels like a HUGE boulder.
- I can’t focus on anything else as long as that rock is in there driving me nuts.
- You can try and ignore it, but the only thing to do is stop and remove the rock from your shoe.
I got to thinking as I ran this morning, while trying to ignore the rock in my shoe, the sin in my life should be a lot like rocks in my shoes. Here’s how…
- Sin should frustrate me. If it doesn’t bother me, something is wrong… BIG time wrong.
- Sin should feel like a boulder, even when it’s small.
- It should drive me nuts that it’s a part of my life.
- I should refuse to ignore it and strive to remove it from my life.
I want to please my Father with every ounce of my being, because He is SO good to me. I don’t know about you, but sadly, sometimes I seem more concerned about the rocks in my shoes than I am the sin in my life.
Do you ever feel this way?
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 22 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Me too.
So having written that, what are you going to do about it?
LCT – My goal everyday is to get less comfortable with things that disappoint God. To be angry about the things that make him angry. To not be satisfied with simply saying, “I’m a sinner,” but be willing to do something about it. It’s great to confess the fact that we’re sinners, it’s terrible to accept that without ever trying to remove it from our lives.
Thanks for the question.
Great analogy, bro.
Trey,
Good post with an excellent and important point. I like it.
Also, I dunno how into country but here is a song I recently found called ‘Rocks in Your Shoes’ by Emily West, it reminds me a bit of what you are sharing here. Click the link to give it a listen.
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/Rocks+In+Your+Shoes/25rFGS
Mark – I don’t know a thing about Country Music, but I’ll give it a listen. Thanks.
Wear high-tops
What do you think that means spiritually?
Debbie … help me a little …. which part are you asking about? Can you elaborate?
I meant to ask how people think we can spiritually wear hightops.
He was picking on me about running.
That would help
i’m always really frustrated that i have to take time out of my run to stop and remove the rock. it seems the rocks always come when i’m running a really good pace or doing speed work or the like. and it’s such a hassle to put it all on hold to take off my shoe.
i wish it were only an inconvenience or a hassle or a frustration to stop and deal with sin. but it’s often more than putting some things on hold while i quickly remove the sin. it’s generally more painful and time consuming than that.
and for the record, i never have to run from dogs here. but there are some semi-bothersome baboons and monkeys…
James … good point on the fact that they come at bad times. And, I’d love to try running with baboons and monkeys. Sounds fun.
you’re welcome to visit anytime. we have some really nice runs. and you could see the serengeti while you’re here.
It looks to me that everyone is on the same page when it comes to teachings, our church was talking about similar things, when it comes to sin, its a big deal to God, one of my good friends mentioned this quote: “If you ever lose the fear of God, you will never adequately repent.” -Henry Blackaby.
Its so true, these “rocks” should feel uncomfortable, just like it does to God and we should trust and believe that the Holy Spirit will provide us the strength to do so. Thanks for the reminder Trey.
Have a blessed day.
Well said, Andre. Love the Blackaby quote.
Huston WE have a problem!
Rocks in our shoes, thorns in our flesh, great reminders to keep our eyes in Jesus. I always like reading your posts!
I like that you said your version of Jesus made some people uncomfortable. My pastor recently taught a message on how Jesus is unexpected and uncomfortable in the way He works. We so often place Jesus in the "Holy Box" that matches paintings of Jesus holding lambs with clean, shining hair and white teeth that we forget who he came to be. He came to save sinners and bring glory to his Father.
I think that if Jesus came to my church I (and probably others, too) would all be a little embarrassed by him. He most certainly would break the constraints of what we see to be right and acceptable. That is exactly what he did 2,000 years ago. He ate with tax collectors. He touched (and healed!) the leper. He loved the prostitute. He was unconventional. People both loved and feared him for it. If I'm completely honest, I think I tend to want my Jesus to fit inside that Holy Box, because I'm too afraid to step outside of it with Him.
Savannah … no problem. You're not the first to comment in the wrong spot
I understand exactly what you're saying about the Holy Box. We're much more comfortable with him there. Thanks for the comment.
I like that you said your version of Jesus made some people uncomfortable. My pastor recently taught a message on how Jesus is unexpected and uncomfortable in the way He works. We so often place Jesus in the "Holy Box" that matches paintings of Jesus holding lambs with clean, shining hair and white teeth that we forget who he came to be. He came to save sinners and bring glory to his Father.
I think that if Jesus came to my church I (and probably others, too) would all be a little embarrassed by him. He most certainly would break the constraints of what we see to be right and acceptable. That is exactly what he did 2,000 years ago. He ate with tax collectors. He touched (and healed!) the leper. He loved the prostitute. He was unconventional. People both loved and feared him for it. If I'm completely honest, I think I tend to want my Jesus to fit inside that Holy Box, because I'm too afraid to step outside of it with Him.
Also….I totally posted my comment on the WRONG blog post…Hahaha.