Pack Running

They talk about it all the time in Cross-Country, you run better when you run in a pack.

I'm not sure what it is about running in a pack that makes a difference precisely, but I know it works.

Recently, I got the chance to run with a bunch of guys who now run for the collegiate cross-country team that I ran for - Wabash College. The team now consists of 29 guys and man are they ever good (much better than when I ran for the team).

This morning I got to run, even if it was only for a few minutes, in that pack of almost 30 guys.

It was awesome. There was a tremendous force about it. Even though we weren't at top speed, I felt how intimidating we must have been. Picture a group of 30 men, running in a close formation down the trail. Intimidating for sure.

I've alway heard that Christian men should have other men in their lives who they meet with regularly to talk about life together.

I think that's great. Keeping each other accountable to the hard work of living out your faith in Jesus is an outstanding goal.

But what if it could be bigger than that? What if you weren't just a pair of men, but a pack of men?

I enjoy having a running partner, but a pack blows that out of the water.

Instead of attempting to find that one good friend that you can partner with to live the ups and downs of life together, why not get a bunch together - why not live this Christian faith like you're running in a pack - strong and deliberate.

Top level runners feed off of the camaraderie and competition found in their running packs, can't Christians do the same? Can't we live this faith with the steady devotion that  pack of runners train with each day?

There's no wonder that Jesus didn't have just one disciple. Those 12 men bid each other on to, through Christ's perfect example and sacrifice, change the world. I think we can follow that example.

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