Scott Freeman

A New Life

Tracy asked me the other night what it was that possessed me to start running. Her question is one I have received numerous times in the last 9 months. It seems that people want to know my secret for having lost 60+ pounds and how I moved from a sedentary individual to one who prizes activity, especially long-distance running.
As I have reflected on the answer to these questions I have discovered that it is much more deep-seated than I realized.
The main reasons are simple: I couldn’t get health insurance while I lived in Michigan because of high triglycerides; I was setting horrible examples for my girls; the reality that I might not see them grow up was unthinkable; I was tired of being tired all the time; and I felt that I was being a poor steward of the body that God has given me.
But it goes farther than that. When I was in 11th grade my school hosted a jog-a-thon. For this fund-raiser you were to solicit people to sponsor you for how far you jogged and/or walked. In the previous years that I had participated in the annual jog-a-thon it was held on the track around the football field. People pledged money for how many laps you went.
This particular year, however, was different. We would be dropped off different distances from the school and jog our way back.
Of course, I opted to be dropped off at the 5 mile mark. Although, I had never covered the full five mile distance around the track I was sure that I would be able to do it this year.
I was a football player after all. The fact that I was a very bad football player did not diminish my confidence in the least.
I started out strong, keeping up with the more athletic and fit. But about 10 yards into it I began to lag a little.
Then I began to lag a lot.
Then I started to walk.
Slowly.
And slower.
And slower still.
Eventually I began to realize that I would not make it back to the school in the allotted time. The confidence that I had at the outset of the race rapidly diminished.
Before long a school van came and picked up the stragglers and drove us back to the school.
There I was: with the underclassmen and the unathletic, the disinterested and the frail.
I was embarrased. And ashamed.
I had thought that I was better than that. But I was wrong.
I had thought that I could do more than my ability. But I failed.
Over the years I have learned a lot from that experience:

1. When I think that I am better than I am, I am always wrong.
2. When I rely on my ability rather than God’s, I will fail.
3. If I rely on His strength I can do more than I can imagine.
4. There is no shame in running the race at whatever speed I can maintain.
5. Starting the race is enough. Jesus will carry me to the Ultimate Goal.

I had allowed a part of my life to defeat me. I was unhealthy. And lazy.
I thought I could make it through on my own strength and ability.
The truth is: I wasn’t making it very far. I needed to rely on His strength to change a part of my life that I had kept from Him for far too long.
Why the change? Because I will not be a slave to food, only to Christ.
I will not be content to sit idly by, but will rise up and work for Him.
I will not depend on my own power but will run with Him.
Someday soon, I will travel back to Arkansas. I will have Tracy drop me off five miles from my old high school.
And I will run. . .all the way back.
Not on my strength.
But through His.