Taking the first step

When we look at ourselves, we know there is much we want to do in our lives but we are so busy, constantly under pressure to meet the needs of others, trying to be good Christian folk meeting expectations. In 2018 I hit a break point: an event wiped out my reserves, and I wandered in the wilderness. With love and support, and faith in the eternal God I found a way through until Christmas came and went, and the New Year dawned. It was then that I sensed God telling me that I had to ‘honour my life’ and I couldn’t keep going through the motions.

The Rev Sarah Ross, minister at Blantyre Ol

I invited Danielle to be my running partner doing Couchto5k. She agreed if I would do WeightWatchers with her. It was the kind of discipline I needed, and I needed to do it for myself. I came to understand that it wasn’t self-ish but self-care, and as the weight disappeared and the runs became easier and faster, I felt more able to handle the challenges of living in a demanding world. My spiritual and mental health improved and I felt closer to God, more attuned to the wonder of creation, indeed how wonderfully and fearfully made I am.

It doesn’t just impact on me, but on my husband and children who benefit from the happier woman in their midst, on my congregation who know that ‘she is back’ with her creativity, faith and challenge, and on others because they are inspired to ‘honour their lives’ as well. I never expected to lose over four stone or run 10k in less than an hour. These are bonuses, but knowing that I am a precious, loved child of God, and that he cares about who I am not just what I am, is so life-affirming.

The Rev Andrea Boyes, minister at Durness and Kinlochbervie

Towards the end 2018 I was feeling unfit, weary and more overweight than I had ever been. Approaching one of those big ‘0’ birthdays, I began to question how fit I was physically and spiritually for ministry for the years ahead. How could I run the race with perseverance? How God-honouring was my life

So began a time of change. I started by making sure that there was that day off to enjoy the beauty of this parish, to get out and walk. By January the walk slowly became a run, with a Couchto5k app on my phone.

There are moments of utter joy while running, and that’s not something I ever thought I would say. Moments where my feet felt light and my hands would be lifted in worship as I ran along Loch Innes in all kinds of weather. Running became my time with God and a space to let the thoughts, ideas, hopes and prayers run too.

In May 2019, I entered my first ever race: the 10k Cape Wrath Challenge. I arrived early, nervous as I watched all the super fit looking people gathered in the village hall in Durness. My only aim was to finish the race. I have never experienced such encouragement or support. People cheering you on and the welcome as you crossed the finish line was quite emotional. It left me wondering what church would look like if we cheered one another on in faith with a measure of that enthusiasm.

Taking that first step out and asking God to bring a change has brought further than I ever imagined. Yes I am physically fitter and five stone lighter, but in running my heart, mind and soul is re-charged.

This article appears in the March 2020 Issue of Life and Work

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