Long Slow Distance

I had run this loop before, the stiff steep rolling hills that seem to go on forever.  As I approached another slope last Saturday morning, I could not even contemplate the whole hill.  But I've been here in this impossible place before.  I knew to put my head down and take one step at a time.  I knew if I looked up and saw how endless the hill appeared, I would stop.  And so I watched only the pavement immediately before my feet, following the cracks, the rough places, a pothole or two, the slightest turning of its edges, and took one step and then another.  I reached the ridge and kept on going.

It was not endless after all.

That is what endurance does.  It does not level the elevation and make it easier, but breaks up the mileage into steps, holding on just a little longer.  When it gets too much, well, I can reach that next curve or tree.  And then, well another, a little bit more.

When I resumed running, now some 20 years ago, I could barely reach the end of the block without stopping.  "Do you think you can run for two minutes?" one of our daughters asked me.  Sure.  That seemed do-able.  And so, she set my watch to beep at two minute intervals.  I would run two minutes, beep, walk two minutes, beep, and start running again.  Gradually, I was able to go a longer distance.

Each day a little stronger.  Even now, even in the midst of this crisis.  Every day is a story of God's faithfulness.  Every hour. Even in this very moment.

Last Saturday, as I faced that final daunting hill on my run,  I knew I just had to get up to the next slightly level spot, that landing of sorts, the next curve, that next tree, keep going, keep going.  Put  my head down and pace myself.

What we all face right now is not a race.  This difficulty is not a sprint, but a long slow distance.  It will not be over tomorrow.  Not even next week.  We are in this for the long haul.  That is what builds strength, endurance and resilience, even for what we are not yet aware.

It is time for different patterns.  It is time for a different pace.  The days at home may seem endless, but we can do something.  That one thing to get us going -- even emptying the dishwasher -- will lead to another.  There are no insignificant things.  No small steps.

And God will provide for the next.

One of my favorite books is Darlene Deibler Rose's memoir Evidence Not Seen in which as a very young woman, she endured solitary confinement in a Japanese prison camp during World War 2.  I was reminded of her remarkable story this morning.  In the course of the book, she wrote:

Deep in my heart He whispered, “I’m here.  Even when you don’t see Me, I’m here.  Never for a moment are you out of My sight.”

I am reminded too of God's promises written thousands of years ago in the Psalms, inscribed even for us, even for today.  

Blessed be the Lord,

   who daily bears us up.

God is our salvation.

   

               Psalm 68. 19

For Such A Time As This

On this St. Patrick's Day, we find not the hilarity of shamrocks and leprechauns, but a serious situation around the world, the very ground continually shifting beneath our feet, as it seems, from one hour to the next.

And so, I am posting again on this day that honors this faithful man, that which has been called the Breastplate of St. Patrick, a prayer for protection, written by him in 433 AD, as he sought to bring the gospel to Ireland and live out the love of Christ, even amidst violence, anger and apathy.  I love the words of this man as he prayed so very long ago, words that express my heart as well.  It is a cry for both protection and strength, no matter what is on the horizon, in the forecast, beneath our feet, unwieldy burdens in our arms, rocks and boulders on our paths, even surprises, mysteries, ambushes, high winds buffeting, and cliffs on our right.

Even then.  Even in this unsettling situation, his prayer was written down centuries ago, seemingly for such a time as this.  Patrick lived out what he found in the scriptures:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust." (Psalm 91. 1-2)

Patrick's prayer is not just a cry for God's strength but starting the day binding myself to Him, and knowing despite all, it is Christ who holds me fast.

I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One,
      and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever,
By power of faith,
      Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan River;
His death on the cross
       for my salvation.
His bursting from the spiced tomb;
His riding up the heav'nly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God
            to hold and lead,
His eye to watch,
            His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need;
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide,
             His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heav'nly host to be my guard.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death-wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poison'd shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation:
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.