One Minute after Every Mile

Introduction

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing …

as you hold firmly to the word of life.

And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ

that I did not run or labor in vain.

—Philippians 2:14, 16

The race. My favorite biblical metaphor for living life. One Minute after Every Mile holds the formula for what goes into this race. What race, you ask? The race one signs up for when becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. This race is no sprint. It is a long-distance run, traveling through many seasons, demanding intentionality.

From dietary blogs to juicing documentaries, hours can be spent researching health and fitness trends. Many athletes’ budgets include health club memberships, organic diets, or massages. Signing up for a race will require sacrifice and the dedication of even more resources. Do we, as Christ-followers, exert the same amount of effort when training for our spiritual race, the race that ends at heaven’s door? Do we worry about having the proper gear, techniques, and strategies? Do we understand that our race in life ends at the foot of our Judge and Maker?

This book is for Christians who are serious about running “the race” well and are ready to meet God with no regrets. Scripture and story are intertwined to demonstrate what this race could look like. Christian authors provide an abundant amount of resources. However, God’s Word is where the power to change lies and should never be substituted for the words of a book. As you read One Minute after Every Mile, pause each time you encounter Scripture. Reread it. Let it sink in. Ask yourself what God wants you to grasp from it. God’s Word should always be your main guide for running well.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,

rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.

—2 Timothy 3:16

One Minute after Every Mile is not only the title of this book but a phrase that has stuck in my head since running my first Door County Half Marathon. It is a way of life that guards my health and stops me in my tracks. It is the red warning light that flashes in an overheated car. In the middle of a jam-packed, nonstop day, just at the point of “overheating,” my conscience screams, “Stop! It’s been way over a mile!” This reminder brings my focus back to the race of life I am in, the finish line I am aiming for, and what needs to happen to make it there in a way that pleases our Lord. Regular overheating, exhaustion, and burnout are not found in God’s plan for a successful race.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

—Romans 8:5–6

The body, mind, and spirit are all part of “the race,” each one dependent on the other. In order to run well, the health of each must be considered. Getting through this book is not a race. Each chapter of this book ends with a segment titled “Stop and Abide.” Recovery is a must in any run or prolonged pursuit. “Stop and Abide” is meant for pause, reflection, and healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Sit here as long as you need to do. Margin is a gracious gift to give yourself and others. Giving yourself space promotes restoration, allowing you to minister to others in a more effective way.

“Stop and Abide” begins with a section labeled “Relax.” This section attends to our body, focusing on simple techniques to aid in physical healing. Conscious engagement with these simple techniques will force the body to slow down. Do not skip “Relax.” The body is intertwined with the mind and spirit. Bringing attention to the body directly affects all other aspects of who we are.

“Reflect” is the next section. It focuses on the mind. Questions and passages are provided as a place to start this reflection. These may be bypassed for another Scripture or concept from the chapter into which you want to dig deeper. Here is your space to do so. Lines are provided for writing, but you may choose to use your own journal. Do not replace writing with a conversation in your head. Writing is a form of healing. It forces the mind to slow down, allowing the heart to catch up, and it creates a record to return to.

The “Eyes Up” section appeals to the spirit by offering a poetic prayer that encompasses the struggles detailed in the chapter. Let the words be a catalyst for your own prayer, carried to the foot of God’s throne. Sit, kneel, or lie down—whatever posture brings you to a humble realization of going before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Confess your sin by filling in whatever comes after ashamed of. Worship our God by beginning with you are statements. Pour out many thanks, listing what you have been blessed by. Let your requests be made known with a plea of please.

One Minute after Every Mile is not meant to be read for pleasure. It requires honest reflection. Its goal is to challenge the way you are running your race. No more status quo. Force yourself to turn off life. Allow the words of Scripture to penetrate. It might take waking up well before dawn, skipping your lunch break, or finding a corner to hide in late at night. It may mean fasting from social media, television, or the Internet. The world is loud. Fight back and secure a quiet place to allow the Holy Spirit to speak and expose what needs to change. If this sounds like hard work, I cannot lie— it is. But, rest is in sight, your reward will be great, and you are never alone running life’s race!