Every few weeks, I write a post about running. I could talk about it all day long, but that's not what makes me a runner. My lightweight stability sneakers, my moisture-wicking shirts, my knee brace and my high-tech GPS watch don't go together to make me a runner.
Hanging out with runners, reading articles, learning the jargon and liking a bunch of running pages on Facebook won't make me a runner either.
The only thing that will make me a runner is… running.
In the same way, I can say I'm a follower of Jesus all day long.
I can use the catch-phrases. I can hang out with other followers. I can read all the right books, attend conferences, wear t-shirts, and put decals on my car, but none of that makes me a follower of Jesus.
The thing that makes me a follower of Jesus is… following.
His commands. His teaching. His example.
Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23 NLT
Some days it's hard to get up and run. I mean really hard.
Last Saturday, my husband, two of his running buddies, and my son took off to run the Polar Bear Dare. It's a 10K trail run – up hill, down hill, in the mud, through thigh deep water, and repeat for an hour and a half or so. It was physically strenuous, mentally taxing … and really muddy. My husband threw his shoes away after it was over. 
My youngest ran her first race a couple of months ago. The kids got a t-shirt and a number just like the folks running the 5K and they each had a personalized sign on the race route to urge them on. The course was a half mile. Two laps around the block. It may not sound like much, but for legs that short, it's a long way. I mean, after you make it all the way around the block… you have to do it again! There were more than a handful of little ones with red faces ready to call it a day after that first lap. However, the crowd cheered like crazy. Moms and dads knifed through and took their little ones by the hand and said, "Come on. You can do this. One more lap. I'll go with you." So they kept running. No matter how wobbly things looked there in the middle, when the announcer called their names, and they came across the finish line, the kids beamed. 
I'm better runner than racer, which isn't saying much, but it is what it is. Last month, after carefully stretching and babying my knee, I signed up for a 5K. My previous best had been 35:19. (Not that great, I know.) For this race, my goal was to finish in under 35 minutes. Nothing too dramatic, but it would mean pushing my knee just a bit. So the night before the race I did the math and knew I needed to run better than 11:17 each mile to meet that goal. 
Except for a few weeks in the summer, it's dark when I run. This time of year, it's dark the entire time I'm out, so for safety's sake, my reflective vest is required equipment. I used to rely on white shirts, and as long as I'm on the track or at the park, I guess those are adequate. But out on the road I need something better